San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead has been selected as a team nominee for the 2020 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, the NFL announced Thursday. (AP Photo/John Hefty) AP
Arik Armstead is the longest-tenured player on the San Francisco 49ers roster. His term is expected to come to an abrupt end.
The defensive lineman and former Oregon Ducks star will be released by the 49ers, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
Armstead has refused to take a “significant” $17.4 million reduction in his salary as part of a restructured contract through the 2024 season, and the team intends to release him. Armstead’s name will be added to the free agent list at the beginning of the free agency period.
Armstead was in the final year of a five-year, $85 million contract he signed in March 2020. Armstead, 30, has played for the 49ers throughout his nine-year NFL career. He was the team’s first-round pick (No. 17) in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Armstead totaled 27 tackles, five sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss in 12 games in 2023. Armstead recorded 11 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback pressures in three postseason games.
Through three of his postseason games, he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Armstead has 33.5 sacks in 128 games (regular season and playoffs) over his career, including a career-high 10 sacks in 2019. He also recorded 302 tackles (43 for loss), three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Armstead has amassed 33.5 sacks in 128 games (regular season and playoffs) over his career, including a career-high 10 sacks in 2019. He also has 302 tackles (43 for loss), three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
