The Jaguars boosted their defensive line on Thursday by signing Arik Armstead, according to multiple reports.
The defensive lineman agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal, Bleacher Report’s NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported.
The reported deal comes a day after Armstead was released by the 49ers following nearly a decade in the Bay Area and following a report that the Bills were the front runners to land him.
All signs seemed to point to Western New York as Armstead’s next destination, with two reporters from The Athletic indicating it was a possibility, before NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport signaled that the Jags were not only a dark horse to land him but were “set to sign” him.
Armstead, 30, had been in discussions with several teams, which included the Bills and the Titans, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported.
The Jaguars instead came away with the win, signing a player who had recorded 33.5 sacks, 88 QB hits and 43 tackles for loss during nine seasons with the 49ers.
Armstead, the 17th overall draft pick in 2015, had 27 tackles and five sacks in a season that the Niners won the NFC title but fell in the Super Bowl to the Chiefs in an overtime thriller.
He recorded six tackles and a sack in the big game.
The decision to release Armstead came after he declined to take a pay cut this upcoming season on his $17.41 million salary, Rapoport reported Sunday, and the 49ers officially cut him on Wednesday.
He goes to a Jaguars team that already boasts Josh Allen, Foye Oluokun, Roy Robertson-Harris, Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd.
Some pundits are already are already dubbing the defense “Sacksonville 2.0.”
Jacksonville has been plenty active during the offseason, with Armstead’s deal being just the latest move for the franchise.