By Jeff Moeller, Jacksonville Sports News
(FILE PHOTO)
JACKSONVILLE – Heading into last season, Arik Armstead’s productivity was brought into question.
The Jaguars thought they had picked up a solution to their inside-line play when the veteran was released by San Francisco after the 2023 season, refusing to take a salary cut from his $17.4 million deal. Armstead also had torn his meniscus in a December game.
Still, the Jags believed Armstead would regain his once All-Pro form with the 49ers.
He was a dominant force in 2019 when he recorded 54 tackles and 10 sacks.
Unfortunately, Jacksonville initially didn’t get that version. In 2024, Armstead looked more like a slowed 31-year-old veteran. It appeared the quick fix was the quick bust.
Armstead began last season with his Jaguars’ career handing in the balance. He had a modest 29 tackles and two sacks his inaugural season in Jacksonville.
Fortunately, he began to look like the player Jacksonville envisioned. Even though he didn’t have glowing numbers, Armstead’s 28 tackles and 5.5 sacks served as a redeemed season. He was instrumental on the field and in the locker room.
Yet, the Jaguars haven’t added any edge-rush help, and Armstead likely will have more responsibility on his shoulders this fall.
Armstead believes the Jaguars’ ascent was due to the steadiness and cohesiveness of his unit with defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Like in San Francisco, a steady coaching stream can be the key to success.
“It’s something that has been needed here in Jacksonville, the consistency in coaching,” said Armstead recently during a Sirius radio football show.
“To be able to accrue time together, not have to learn a new scheme and learn new people. So going into year two, it’s an opportunity to take another huge step and switch from learning the scheme … learning what the coaches want to know. I can actually master what the scheme is and master my responsibilities.”
Turning 33 in November, Armstead will have to master those responsibilities. Armstead signed a three-year, $43 million deal when he arrived in 2024. He has a cap hit of $19 million this season, and he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Expectations again will be high, and Armstead will be right in the thick of things. He can play the role of the cagey veteran with rising stars Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker playing the leading defensive roles next to him. Davon Hamilton, a 29-year-old lineman, will also be in the middle.
Armstead’s overall productivity took a major upswing last season, and he must now maintain the spiral.
