BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: A San Francisco 49ers helmet sits on the field prior to the start of the 49ers and Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers are releasing one of their top players in a stunning move ahead of 2024 NFL free agency.
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the 49ers are releasing veteran defensive lineman Arik Armstead. Interestingly, Schultz stated that the 30-year-old Armstead decided he wanted to hit the open market:
Sources to @BleacherReport: #49ers star DL Arik Armstead has decided to become a free agent and will be released.
Armstead comes off a 6 tackle, 1-sack performance in the Super Bowl, and ranks 4th in playoff sacks among all active players.
His 8 playoff sacks rank second… pic.twitter.com/og5m3RsU3s
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2024
The veteran mainstay leaves San Francisco with 33.5 career sacks, six pass defenses and three forced fumbles. Despite those strong sack numbers, Armstead’s biggest strength has been his elite run defense.
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
Social media was completely baffled by the 49ers’ decision to release a veteran who played an instrumental role in helping them reach two Super Bowls in five seasons:
Wow as a Niners fan this is heartbreaking.
— Up To The Minute Fantasy (@UpToTheMinuteFF) March 11, 2024
Wow at that Arik Armstead news 😔
— B. (@ACoziFloyd_) March 11, 2024
Wow hard to believe Armstead is actually gone. One of the best niners ever
— Chanclalio (@elarturochacon) March 11, 2024
Damn releasing Armstead?Didn’t see that coming.
— Imagidadnation (@imagidadnation) March 11, 2024
Wow always thought Armstead would be in SF for his entire career. He’s been invaluable to the 49ers run defense. https://t.co/KNyK2yAefI
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) March 11, 2024
Doing Arik dirty wow
— jion12345 (@jion_12345) March 11, 2024
And just like that, the elite 2024 free agent class of defensive linemen just got even deeper.
