Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Signs With the Jaguars
It didn't take Arik Armstead long to find a new team in free agency after the San Francisco 49ers released him.
Armstead is set to join the Jacksonville Jaguars after signing a three-year deal for $51 million. The contract breaks down into $17 million per year, which is $1 million less than what he was making with the 49ers.
However, considering the 49ers asked him to take a pay cut and no state income tax in Florida, Armstead is making an incredible amount of money. For a 30 year old player whose body is clearly breaking down, Armstead gets himself an impressive deal. It could've been risky for him to roll the dice on himself, but it pays off.
Armstead signing with the Jaguars should've come as an obvious one. They have both the salary cap and the familiarity with general manager Trent Baalke. Armstead was drafted by Baalke, so of course Baalke is going to want to continue to be attached to a player he drafted in the first round.
Given how Armstead's career has played out, I'd say that Baalke gets to flex his muscles on Armstead being a success. Now he gets him on his new team with the Jaguars, which will boost their defense. As for the 49ers, they have already filled Armstead's spot.
Malik Collins is the replacement after the 49ers traded for him with the Texans by sending them a seventh round pick. Initially, the 49ers were reportedly going to do a player-for-player trade with the Texans. They were going to swap Armstead and Collins with each other, but that crumbled as soon as the Texans signed defensive end Danielle Hunter.
Either way, it all worked out for all parties. The 49ers elect to go with the cheaper and healthier defensive tackle who is actually a pretty stout player.