The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly signing Arik Armstead, a former defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers, to a three-year deal worth $51 million, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. Armstead was released by the 49ers on Monday after he declined to accept a pay cut, bringing an end to his successful nine-year stint with the team. The 30-year-old had discussions with several teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans, as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

The Houston Texans also attempted to trade for Armstead and Maliek Collins, but that deal fell through after the Texans signed defensive end Danielle Hunter. Collins was later traded to San Francisco on Wednesday for a seventh-round pick. In Jacksonville, Armstead will be reuniting with general manager Trent Baalke, who was the 49ers’ GM when they selected him 17th overall in the 2015 draft. A key player for a top-tier San Francisco defense for much of his career, Armstead did miss 13 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. In the 2023 season, he recorded 27 tackles (four for loss), 13 quarterback hits, and five sacks.

He played 116 regular-season games with the 49ers and contributed to the team’s two Super Bowl runs. Armstead is expected to have an immediate effect on a Jaguars defense that struggled last year, which features pass-rusher Josh Allen as a standout player in their front seven. This offseason, the AFC South team has added several veteran defenders, including safety Darnell Savage and cornerback Ronald Darby.