Jaguars' Arik Armstead: 'I Still Feel Like I'm An Ascending Player'

After nine years in the NFL, Arik Armstead is still confident in his upside.

Almost a decade into the NFL, Arik Armstead is a rare free agent.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman and former San Francisco 49ers star isn't the type of player who hits the market often. 

The 30-year-old former first-round pick has put together nearly a decade of film and production. He isn't the type of free agent who is hitting the market early in his career. But he also isn't anywhere near the grizzled veteran with limited upside that some think his age represents. 

"I view it as it is an accomplishment," Armstead said on Monday. 

"Having longevity in his league is tough for a multitude of reasons, but I do view it as an accomplishment. Also too, I view it as I’ve got a lot more to give, a lot more to offer, a lot more football ahead of me. I view it as I continue to get better."

Armstead, who was drafted in the first round by Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke in San Francisco in 2015, has spent the last nine seasons with the 49ers.

Armstead only appeared in 12 regular season games last year due to injuries, though he still finished with five sacks and nearly 60 pressures. 

In nine seasons, Armstead started 97 games and appeared in 116, recording 33.5 sacks, 43 tackles for loss, and 88 quarterback hits. 

"Last year, I’m constantly working on my game, working on my craft. I continue to get better," Armstead said. 

"Last year I had one of my best pass rush seasons of my career in year nine, so in the offseason, what I do is I watch all my film, how to finetune, how to get better, work on my technique, different things I need to do to work on my body. I still feel like I’m an ascending player even though that’s tough to say for most people in year 10.”

Among DT with at least 100 pass-rush snaps, here is where Arik Armstead ranked in pass-rush over the last five years (per PFF)

2019: No. 4
2020: No. 26
2021: No. 16
2022: No. 21
2023: No. 9

High ceiling, also high floor.

— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) March 18, 2024

The comparisons between Armstead and former Jaguars star Calais Campbell, who was also 30 years old and nine years into his career when he signed as a free agent in 2017, are obvious. On and off the field. Like Campbell in 2017, Armstead still has a lot to give -- including the chance at one of his best seasons between Josh Allen and Travon Walker. 

“Yeah, I talked to them and I’ve been in contact with them. I look forward to connecting with the rest of the guys as well too as soon as I can. Obviously, those two guys stick out immediately; the type of talent they have and the production they’ve had in the NFL," Armstead said.

"Playing with those guys and Roy [DL Roy Robertson-Harris] and Hamilton [DT DaVon Hamilton] and a bunch of the other guys too that I can’t wait to meet, it’s going to be phenomenal. I think it’s important, especially being in the league this long that no one can do it on their own. I’ve seen a lot of situations where you don’t get the full potential out of guys because they’re not surrounded by other great players as well too. I’m excited to take the field with those guys and learn this new defense together and start that journey.”