Getty Image / Ryan Kang
The San Francisco 49ers were so close to winning Super Bowl LVIII. Multiple times in their overtime loss to Chiefs, they just needed to make one play, and they would’ve almost certainly won.
It would be crazy to make significant changes to a team that has come so close to winning a Super Bowl in recent years. But, by choosing not to re-sign star interior defensive lineman Arik Armstead, they risk significantly harming their defense.
It appears as if they’re going to let Armstead hit the market.
After the 49ers and DL Arik Armstead attempted but failed to work out a restructured contract, San Francisco now plans to release him, per source. Armstead now is expected to become a free agent. The two sides came close to a deal, but Armstead, as @Schultz_Report reported,…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Armstead’s 27 tackles and five sacks from last year won’t jump off the page at you. But, that does not tell the whole story as to why he’s such a valuable player. At 6-foot-7 and 290lb, Armstead is a chess piece for any NFL team that has him.
His biggest benefit is that he can effectively get penetration against the run game and rush the passer from nearly every spot and alignment on the defensive line. The 49ers have a few players that can be used like that, as Javon Kinlaw and superstar Nick Bosa also can be moved around like that.
Plus, this is a team whose weakness on defense is in the secondary. They’re not terrible on the back end, but it’s definitely a weakness, especially if safety Talanoa Hafanga doesn’t recover well from a torn ACL he suffered in November of last season.
The best way to cover for a weaker secondary is with outstanding pass rush. It would make sense to build through this year’s draft on the back end while retaining some of their great players at the line of scrimmage to continue being a strong defense. Plus, the team could be without star linebacker Dre Greenlaw all season, as he suffered a freak injury at the Super Bowl while coming onto the field and tore his Achilles.
All things considered, the 49ers should really consider getting a deal done with Arik Armstead.