The 49ers’ first big domino of the offseason started to fall Monday when they agreed to a 5-year $85 million deal with defensive lineman Arik Armstead according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Armstead, 26, was a candidate for the franchise tag that would’ve paid him around $19 million fully guaranteed for one season. He and the team wound up settling on a long-term deal that saves the 49ers some money in the short term while giving Armstead some long-term security.
Last season was Armstead’s best as a pro. He led San Francisco with 10.0 sacks, which is one more than he had in his first four years combined. The 2015 first-round pick was also outstanding again as a run defender in his fifth season. If he keeps combining his run-stopping skill set with something around 10 sacks, he’ll continue to be a valuable member of the 49ers’ defensive line through the duration of his contract.
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