The San Francisco 49ers had a fantastic season in 2023. Arik Armstead and other stars served as the foundation for their defense, which was a key factor in their success. The team got off to a strong start with young quarterback Brock Purdy at the helm. The dominant defense provided excellent support, allowing Purdy to play with confidence and showcase his abilities.
The San Francisco 49ers fell short of ultimate glory in the Super Bowl, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, they’re looking to strengthen their roster and make another run at the championship. Key veterans have secured their spots on the team, but defensive lineman Arik Armstead remains one notable exception.
Arik Armstead expected to be released by 49ers
The 49ers are set to part ways with Arik Armstead after failing to come to terms on a restructured contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He was entering the final year of a hefty five-year, $85 million deal inked in 2020, and will now hit the free-agent market.
The 27-year-old was slated to earn a base salary of $17.41 million with a staggering $28.35 million cap hit. Despite efforts to negotiate a reduced salary, he opted to decline the proposal, choosing instead to explore his options in free agency.
The 49ers are considering releasing their defensive player. This move would free up about $18.2 million in cash for them to spend this season. However, it’s not all good news. Releasing the player would also hit the team’s salary cap with a big one-time charge of $25.86 million. In fact, they’d only get a small amount of relief ($2.492 million) right away.
There is another option, though. If they wait until after June 1st to release the player, they can spread out that big charge over future seasons. This could actually save them over $18 million overall.
The San Francisco 49ers drafted Arik Armstead with the 17th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. While injuries slowed him down at times, Armstead eventually found success playing on the defensive line’s interior in 2019. Despite his strong contributions, the 49ers’ financial situation has forced them to release him.
Arik Armstead’s performance in 2023 NFL season
Arik Armstead had a solid 2023 season, racking up five sacks and ranking 10th in the NFL among defensive tackles for disrupting pass plays. But his season wasn’t all smooth sailing. In December’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Armstead tore a meniscus in his right knee. Despite the painful injury, he showed incredible toughness by battling through and finishing the game.
The DT had full participation in practice later and returned to the field for the NFC divisional round against the Green Bay Packers. He contributed significantly to the 49ers’ playoff run by recording 11 tackles, a sack alongside seven quarterback pressures, and a fumble recovery.
Arik Armstead has been a consistent force on the 49ers squad. He played 128 games with the 49ers, including 12 playoff appearances. The football prodigy played a crucial role in the 49ers’ NFC titles in both 2019 and 2023. With 33.5 career sacks and 302 tackles, his impact on influencing the team’s performance on the field is undeniable.
