Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead to a three-year, $51 million deal. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke served in the same role with the 49ers when the team drafted Armstead in 2015.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport was the first to report that the Jaguars were closing in on a deal with Armstead.
The 49ers attempted to retain Armstead by negotiating a reduced salary for 2024. However, when the two sides couldn't reach an agreement, it became clear that the team would need to release the defensive tackle to create approximately $18 million in salary-cap savings. This move was officially made on March 13, at the start of the new league year.
The Athletic reported that the 49ers and Houston Texans had a player-for-player trade in place this week. The deal would have sent Armstead to the Texans in exchange for defensive tackle Maliek Collins. However, the deal fell apart when the Texans agreed to terms with edge rusher Danielle Hunter. San Francisco still traded for Collins, but instead, they sent a seventh-round draft pick to Houston for the defender.
San Francisco drafted Armstead (6-7, 290) out of Oregon with the No. 17 overall pick in 2015. Last season, he registered 27 tackles, including four for a loss, 13 quarterback hits, and five sacks through 12 starts, per Pro Football Reference.
Armstead added 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in his three playoff appearances. His lone postseason sack occurred against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 58.
It was later revealed that Armstead played through a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury sustained during the regular-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 3, 2023.
In his nine NFL seasons, Armstead has amassed 302 tackles, including 43 for a loss, 88 quarterback hits, 33.5 sacks, six passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in 116 game appearances, with 97 starts. Injuries have forced him to miss 13 games over the last two seasons.
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