Santa Clara, CA (PSF) — For the first time in his NFL career, Arik Armstead will play for a franchise other than the 49ers in 2024.

It was reported earlier tonight that Armstead had “chosen to become a free agent”. Reporters later found out that the 49ers had approached Armstead about a pay cut, and he declined, electing to be released and become a free agent.

Armstead, 30, was entering the final year of a 5-year, $85 million contract he signed before the 2020 season. He was to have a cap hit of over $24 million and an annual base salary of $17.4 million for the 2024 season.

How this process will be carried out will likely be determined by whether or not the 49ers designate Armstead as a post-June 1 release. If they do this, they will save more money, but at the cost of having less financial flexibility during the most active free agency period. The Athletic’s 49ers Beat Writer David Lombardi explains this process in further detail here:

Although an unlikely possibility, the 49ers and Armstead could still work out a pay-cut, contract restructure, or alternative solution so that he remains a 49er. However, it looks likely that Armstead has played his last snap as a 49er.

Armstead was the 49ers’ longest-tenured player on their roster, having been drafted 17th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft out of the University of Oregon. He played 9 seasons for the 49ers.

For his career, Armstead totaled 302 combined tackles, 33.5 career sacks, 6 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles in 97 career starts (116 games).

His best season came in the 2019 season, where he played a key role in a dominant 49ers defense, tallying 54 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery while starting all 16 games.

Additionally, Armstead was a key contributor in all four of the playoff runs during his tenure. He recorded a sack in every playoff run he was a part of. Overall, in 12 postseason games, he tallied 38 combined tackles, 8 sacks, and a fumble recovery.

An excellent playoff performer, Armstead had a handful of memorable playoff games, including a sack and fumble recovery in this year’s Super Bowl matchup with the Chiefs, and a clutch 2-sack performance in the 2021-2022 playoffs against the Packers (1:57 & 2:21) in the defensive duel.

Armstead is widely respected off the field as well. A team captain for a large portion of his tenure, he was also a multiple-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year. He is the creator of the Armstead Academic Project, which provides youths in the Bay Area and Sacramento area, of all socioeconomic statuses, the necessary resources to succeed in academics.

Armstead was beloved by the players in the locker room, a veteran mentor for young players, and a role model off the field. He was an integral part of the 49ers’ success, and his contribution will not be replaced easily.

Looking forward, the 49ers will have a handful of options to address their defensive line moving forward. With limited cap space for now, the most likely avenue would seemingly be the 2024 NFL Draft, with some mock drafts projecting the 49ers to take Penn State Edge Rusher Chop Robinson with the 31st overall pick.

Interior linemen options at 31 include Texas’s Byron Murphy II and Braden Fiske, although Fiske may have improved his draft stock at the combine too much for him to be available at 31.

In terms of the interior line, where Armstead played, bringing back Javon Kinlaw, who rebounded after a difficult start to his career, makes sense. It would likely come at a price the 49ers can afford. The 49ers could also bring back veterans Kevin Givens and Sebastian Joseph-Day, who are familiar with the scheme and can be cost-efficient options.

Former 49er DJ Jones was recently released by the Denver Broncos, and with his experience in the scheme and effectiveness in his former role, a reunion would make sense. Former Colt Grover Stewart would be a nice fit in the Arik Armstead role, as he has been a strong run defender his entire career and can offer a bit of pass-rushing juice. Other options include players such as Te’air Tartt, Shelby Harris, Raekwon Davis, A’Shawn Robinson, and Quinton Jefferson.

Whether the 49ers’ plan at Defensive Tackle moving forward is youth-centric or veteran-centric remains to be seen, but with a strong free-agency class and relatively strong defensive line 2024 class, the 49ers will have options, regardless of the route they choose.