Defensive lineman Arik Armstead represents perhaps the largest free agency decision awaiting the 49ers in the offseason.
That’s not just because of his stature. The 6-foot-7 defensive lineman had a breakout year in 2019 with a career-high 10.0 sacks. He also graded out as the 49ers’ best run defender per Pro Football Focus.
Armstead may not require a long-term deal right away though as the 49ers will have to do some cap gymnastics to lock up players like DeForest Buckner and George Kittle. Armstead on Wednesday told reporters he’s open to taking a franchise tag – a designation players often prefer to avoid in favor of long-term stability.
The franchise tag number for a defensive end is a projected $19.3 million according to Over the Cap. That number comes down significantly to $15.5 million if Armstead is classified as a defensive tackle.
A franchise tag is a one-year deal that fully guarantees a player’s salary, which is derived from an average of the top-five highest salaries at the position. That would allow the 49ers a little more cap flexibility in the future while also giving them another year to work out a long-term deal with Armstead.
On the other hand, that’s a hefty price to pay for a team that’s already nearing the edges of the salary cap, and Armstead has had just one exceptional year as a pass rusher. It stands to reason the team may want to see if he can produce again at the rate he did in 2019 before signing him to a multi-year deal.
Armstead, a Northern California native who still does a lot of charity work in Sacramento where he grew up, said via Nick Wagoner of ESPN that he wants to stay in San Francisco.
“I would love being here,” he said. “Trying to go back to the Super Bowl, so however that is seen or has to get done, it’s not really my decision what they want to do with me.”
The deadline for teams to franchise tag players is March 10, and free agency opens March 18. We’ll have an answer soon on if or how the 49ers will go about trying to retain Armstead coming off the best season of his career.