Arik Armstead’s first season in Jacksonville didn’t go as planned.
On top of acclimating to a new home after nine years with the San Francisco 49ers, Armstead had to adapt to a different position and an unfamiliar role along with it during the 2024 campaign, as he went from an interior defensive starter to a rotational edge piece with the Jaguars.
In doing so, the 31-year-old tallied two sacks, his lowest total during a season in which he’s played double-digit games since his 2015 rookie campaign, which also happens to be the last time he started just a singular game.
“When I look back, look at the film for me, I haven’t not started in a long time,” Armstead said following the season, per the Florida Times-Union. “It was a position change for me. Next year [I] got a lot planned, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
Whatever he envisions for his follow-up season in teal, it’s likely far different than how the recent one transpired.
The Jaguars agreed with Armstead on a three-year deal during the offseason a day after the 49ers released him, adding a proven veteran to a team that had gone 9-8 two years running and was looking to better its standing.
Instead, Jacksonville’s fortunes plummeted. Armstead failed to make a meaningful impact playing behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen as the defense slipped from 17th in scoring to 27th and finished 31st in yards allowed, tied with the 2020 unit for its