Before releasing the longtime fan favorite, the San Francisco 49ers reportedly discussed a blockbuster trade involving Arik Armstead.
The 49ers released the veteran defensive lineman in a cap-saving move earlier this week. On Thursday, Armstead and the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a lucrative three-year contract worth $51 million, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz:
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the 49ers and Houston Texans discussed a one-for-one player swap involving Armstead. Russini reports, however, that the trade talks fell through after the Texans signed ex-Minnesota Vikings star Danielle Hunter.
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The 49ers wound up acquiring defensive tackle Maliek Collins from the Texans in a separate trade in exchange for a seventh-round pick. The 28-year-old Collins had spent each of the previous three years with Houston.
So instead of pairing Armstead with 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr., the Texans wound up landing a four-time Pro Bowler in Hunter. That works out just fine for the Jaguars, who get one of the league’s elite run-stoppers in Armstead to bolster an already dangerous front seven.
Armstead joins a young Jacksonville defense led by stars Josh Allen, Foyesade Oluokun, Devin Lloyd, Tyson Campbell and 2022 first overall pick Travon Walker. Jacksonville is coming off a disappointing 9-8 season that saw them miss out on the postseason following a surprise trip to the AFC Divisional Round one year earlier.
