Reports: Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead closing in on deal with Jaguars

Mar 14, 2024, 1:24 PM | Updated: 2:15 pm

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a d...

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It appears Arik Armstead has found a new home in the NFL, effectively ending his time in Red & Gold once and for all.

Reports surfaced Thursday afternoon that the former 49ers defensive lineman is expected to sign a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The deal is reported to be for 3-years, $51 million, with guarantees unknown at this time. The move reunites Armstead with Trent Baalke, the man who drafted the Sacramento native 17th overall in 2015.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first with the news Thursday, with Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz announcing the contract details thereafter.

BREAKING: Free agent DL Arik Armstead is signing a 3-year, $51M contract with the #Jaguars, sources tell @BleacherReport.

Armstead now joins a stout Jacksonville pass rush next to Josh Allen and Travon Walker. “Sacksonville” 2.0?! pic.twitter.com/7HO3t0Ue3G

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2024

The prominent DL player was released by the 49ers Wednesday, after failing to come to an agreement on a restructured deal ahead of free agency. A few days later, it appears he has a landing spot for his tenth NFL season.

Arik Armstead, 30, was the 49ers’ longest-tenured player on the roster, drafted by the team in 2015. In nine seasons, he has amassed 302 combined tackles, 33.5 sacks (10th in franchise history) and 88 quarterback hits. He was also phenomenal in the postseason, racking up 38 tackles and eight sacks (2nd in franchise history). He finished 2023 with an 85.6 pass-rushing grade, per Pro Football Focus.

Unfortunately, injuries plagued Armstead the final two years of his 49ers’ tenure, missing 13 regular-season games with foot and knee issues. In 2023, he missed five games stemming from a torn meniscus suffered in Week 13. He played through the injury in the postseason, now set for a lengthy rehab over the summer.

Armstead’s release will likely be designated for post-June 1st, saving the 49ers $17.8 million in 2024, and $14.8 million in 2025 potentially.

Arik Armstead is a product of Pleasant Grove High School, becoming a four-star recruit. He played his collegiate career at the University of Oregon, before being selected I the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the 49ers.