The San Francisco 49ers are set to part ways with their longest-serving player, as they plan to release defensive tackle Arik Armstead in a move to manage their salary cap, according to a source familiar with the decision, who spoke to The Associated Press.
Armstead will be released and become a free agent after the new league year commences on Wednesday, the source said, requesting anonymity as the team had not officially announced the move.
Bleacher Report initially reported the Niners’ intention to release Armstead.
Selected by San Francisco in the first round of the 2015 draft, Armstead is the sole remaining player from the team’s roster when coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch assumed their roles in 2017.
With a base salary of $17.4 million and a $28.4 million salary cap charge for the upcoming season, the cap-constrained 49ers opted to make the move. Despite Armstead still carrying a $25.9 million dead cap charge, the team is expected to designate him a post-June 1 release.
This move will allow the 49ers to carry the entire cap charge until June, with $15.5 million of the charge deferred until 2025, resulting in $18 million in cap space for the current season.
Injuries have plagued the 30-year-old Armstead over the past two seasons, limiting him to just 21 regular-season games due to knee and foot injuries. Despite playing through a torn meniscus in his right knee during the postseason and undergoing surgery after the Super Bowl, Armstead’s contribution remained significant.
However, with defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and defensive end Nick Bosa already on the roster as high-priced linemen, the decision to part ways with Armstead was made.
In the 2023 regular season, Armstead recorded five sacks in 12 games, adding one more in the playoffs. With 33 1/2 sacks in 116 regular-season games, he ranks second in franchise history for postseason sacks, trailing only Nick Bosa’s 10.
The 49ers face several gaps to fill in their defensive line this offseason, with impending free agents including defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Chase Young, and Randy Gregory, along with defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Kevin Givens.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Armstead, who hails from the Sacramento area, has been actively involved in community initiatives during his nine seasons with the 49ers, earning the team’s nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for his work with schools over the past four seasons.
