The San Francisco 49ers announced the release of DL Arik Armstead. In addition, the team has re-signed quarterback Brandon Allen to a one-year contract, OL Colton McKivitz to a one-year extension through the 2025 season, and S George Odum to a two-year agreement through the 2026 season.
Armstead (6-7, 290) was selected as the 17th overall pick by the 49ers in the 2015 NFL draft. During his nine-year career with San Francisco (2015-24), Armstead appeared in 116 games (97 starts) and recorded 302 tackles, 33.5 sacks, six passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. He also started all 12 playoff games, totaling 38 tackles, 8.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Armstead’s 8.0
In 2023, Armstead started 12 games and had 27 tackles and 5.0 sacks. He also started all three postseason games, totaling 11 tackles, 1.0 sack, and one fumble recovery. Armstead was named the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide, for the fourth consecutive season. Armstead’s efforts with his organisation, the Armstead Academic Project, has raised more than $2 million for Sacramento and Bay Area youngsters in need of comprehensive academic support.
Armstead, a 30-year-old native of Sacramento, Calif., attended the University of Oregon. In 39 games with the Ducks, he recorded 87 tackles, four sacks, 10.0 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and two passes defensed. As a junior in 2014, Armstead earned honourable mention All-Pac 12 honours after appearing in 13 games and recording 46 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
Allen (6-2, 209) was initially selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round (201st overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft. During his eight-year NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016), Los Angeles Rams (2017-18), Denver Broncos (2019), Cincinnati Bengals (2020-2022), and San Francisco 49ers (2023), he appeared in 15 games (nine starts) and completed 149 of 263 passing attempts for 1,611 yards and 10 touchdowns. Allen spent the whole 2023 season on San Francisco’s active roster after joining as a free agent.
Allen, a 31-year-old product of Fayetteville, Arkansas, attended the University of Arkansas, where he appeared in 42 games (38 starts) and completed 583 of 1,016 passing attempts for 7,463 yards and 64 touchdowns through the air, as well as 135 carries for 133 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He concluded his undergraduate career with the second-most completions (583) and third-most throwing yards (7,463) among Razorbacks.
