There were several reasons for Arik Armstead to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
Ryan Nielsen’s defense, the financial aspect, the opportunity to contend for titles going forward, and, of course, general manager Trent Baalke.
Armstead spent the last nine seasons with the 49ers after being selected by Baalke in the first round in San Francisco in 2015. He now gets back together with the guy who drafted him.
“It all happened very quickly. My free agency was a little delayed, and so on Wednesday when I was officially released, I then had the opportunity to talk to some teams.
It all happened very fast and me and Trent [Baalke] have a great relationship,” Armstead told local media on Monday. “He drafted me nine years ago back in San Francisco and we were able to talk and discuss my situation and where I’m at in my career. I felt like this was the best decision for me and my family. I’m very excited to get it going.”
“Being with him for those few years and drafting me, getting to know me as a younger guy, has made for a terrific connection. Then, I would always see him there prior to tip-off when we faced the Jaguars, as he watched me from a distance. We would converse and he would express his pride in me and the way my job had turned out.
He believed that the choice he made back then was sound, and that feeling persisted now. This shift will go far more smoothly if you have that someone with whom you feel at ease and who you have spent time with.
Due to injury, Armstead only played in 12 games during the regular season last year, but he nevertheless finished with five sacks and close to sixty pressures.
Armstead played in 116 games over nine seasons, starting 97 of them. He finished with 33.5 sacks, 43 tackles for loss, and 88 quarterback hits.
Armstead will now be positioned in the center of Ryan Nielsen’s defense, the new defensive coordinator, providing him an opportunity to play a key role in the Jaguars’ quest for long-term success.
It seems like it was created specifically for the defensive line. As a former defensive lineman, Coach Nielsen, I feel like I could play a lot of different roles in it,” Armstead remarked.
“From playing the run while positioned on the edge to closing in on the pass rusher. I’m eager to learn more about the plans and how they want to use me.
