SANTA CLARA — Arik Armstead, the longest-tenured member of the 49ers’ current roster, will be released and test the NFL’s free agency market when negotiations open Monday, according to multiple reports.
Armstead was slated to make a $17.4 million base salary in what would have been his 10th season on the 49ers. He will count $25.9 million against this year’s salary cap, rather than $28.4 million had he stayed on his current roster, according to OverTheCap.com.
Foot and knee injuries hindered Armstead’s past two regular seasons, limiting him to 21 of 34 games. However, he overcome last November’s meniscus tear in his knee, as well as plantar fasciitis in his foot, to appear in all three playoff games, including the Super Bowl, where he sacked Patrick Mahomes in a 25-22 overtime loss to Kansas City.
Arik Armstead’s 85.6 pass-rushing grade (PFF) last season was a career-high and he ranks 10th all-time in #49ers’ history for sacks.
One of the NFL’s most versatile DL hits the open market. https://t.co/nqrOgbsmsd
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2024
Armstead, 30, was the 49ers’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee each of the past four seasons, signifying his community involvement and youth-education push, especially in his native Sacramento area. He was the 49ers’ top draft pick in 2015 out of Oregon (No. 17). In 116 games, he’s totaled 302 tackles, 33 1/2 sacks and 88 quarterback hits, as well as eight sacks in 12 playoff games.
Armstead’s anticipated release was first reported by veteran NFL reporter Jordan Schultz and NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, the latter of whom reported that Armstead declined a pay cut.
Negotiations with free agents open Monday at 9 a.m. Deals, including trades, cannot be ratified until Wednesday.
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Losing Armstead would put a further emphasis this offseason on restocking the defensive line, where they have other pending free agents in Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young, Randy Gregory, Javon Kinlaw and Randy Gregory.