49ers Reportedly Signing DL Arik Armstead to Monster Contract Extension

The San Francisco 49ers were just one quarter away from a Super Bowl LIV title. While they didn't ultimately get to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, they just increased their chances of doing so in the near future by locking in a key member of the defense.

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the 49ers have signed defensive end Arik Armstead to a massive five-year, $85 million contract extension.

The #49ers are giving star DL Arik Armstead a 5-year deal, sources say, avoiding the franchise tag and locking him up long-term. He gets up to $85M on his new deal.???
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

This move was a no-brainer considering how dangerous the 49ers' defensive line was last season. With Armstead, Nick Bosa, and DeForest Buckner doing damage, every starter had the ability to attack the quarterback.

Armstead did just that last season, as he recorded 54 tackles (11 for loss), 18 QB hits, ten sacks, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed in 16 games.

Arik Armstead has agreed to a 5-year, $85 million deal with the 49ers, per @RapSheet

The star DL got PAID ? pic.twitter.com/zhyzzZAmwk
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 16, 2020

Now, Armstead will make an average annual salary of $17 million per season, which ties for the ninth-highest AAV among defensive linemen in the league alongside Grady Jarrett of the Falcons and Olivier Vernon of the Browns.

The 49ers are looking to make another run to the Super Bowl, and locking in Armstead longterm helps with that goal.