The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly set to release defensive lineman Arik Armstead ahead of the new NFL year.
The NFL Network reported that the franchise’s first-round pick in the 2015 draft has decided to take a pay cut and will now be on the move for the first time in his nine-year career in the league.
The 30-year-old had one year left on his deal in San Francisco and his $17.4 million in base salary was due to count $28.4 million against the salary cap. The 49ers began the week slightly over the cap, needing to comply with the $255.4 million limit before the new league year starts on Wednesday.
Armstead has been a consistent and reliable presence for the 49ers defense in recent years, with the franchise having reached four NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls in the past five seasons.
During his time with the Niners, Armstead has registered 33.5 sacks and made 88 QB hits. He added a further eight sacks in the postseason, including one in last month’s Super Bowl LVIII, when he floored Patrick Mahomes during the overtime defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Armstead should have plenty of suitors in free agency and his exit means the 49ers will to work to replace him via either free agency or in next month’s draft.
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