12 March 2024 , 05:00
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San Francisco 49ers' defensive star, Arik Armstead, has left fans puzzled after he 'decided to become a free agent'. He turned down the chance to stay with the team on a new contract.
Armstead reportedly said no to a pay cut to stay with the team. He didn't want to change his current contract but wanted to be let go straight away so he could look at his options this week when the free agency period starts.
The 30-year-old has been a solid interior lineman for the 49ers for the last nine years with 33.5 sacks and 88 quarterback hits. He's likely to get a big deal on the open market this week.
The Niners will now have to find someone to replace Armstead, while also having fellow defensive tackle and first-round pick Javon Kinlaw hit the open market this week. Armstead had started on the interior for the team, who may now find it hard to spend big money on replacements after signing Nick Bosa to a record contract last offseason.
As well as giving Bosa a huge contract, the Niners must remember that offensive duo Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy will be asking for a new contract next off-season, where they could ask for top-of-the-market money to stay in San Francisco.
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Sadly for the Niners, letting Armstead go doesn't save much in terms of salary cap space, with them still needing to make changes from their current roster in order to have funds to spend money in free agency.
The team was just a few moves away from winning the Super Bowl last year, but couldn't make it in overtime before Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to score the winning touchdown.
Arik Armstead is now a free agent (GETTY)Even though they might lose Armstead, the Niners could change Javon Hargraves' contract after he signed a big deal with the team last season to partner him.
Hargrave had seven sacks from the interior positions and will now be one of the main players on the line with Armstead leaving, pairing him with Bosa as they hope to keep one of the strongest defenses in the league.
Along with Armstead, the Niners are likely to be without another important starter this season, Dre Greenlaw, after he hurt his Achilles in the Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs when running onto the field.
San Francisco has been rumoured to replace Greenlaw with free agent Bobby Wagner from their rival Seattle Seahawks, after the Niners recently hired Wagner's old teammate KJ Wright as their interior linebackers coach.