Arik Armstead is embarking on a new chapter of his career after spending nine years with the San Francisco 49ers, where he established himself as one of the team’s top players. Despite being a starter since 2016 and leading the Niners in sacks in 2019, Armstead felt “extremely disrespected” by a low-ball contract offer from the team. He has since signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to reunite with his former general manager in San Francisco, Trent Baalke. While Armstead is disappointed by how things ended in San Francisco, he leaves the door open for a potential return before the end of his career.
Armstead, who was selected by Baalke in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, quickly found a more financially favorable deal with the Jaguars after being released by the Niners. He started 97 of 116 career games in San Francisco, recording 33.5 sacks during his tenure with the team. Armstead played a key role in the Niners’ transformation from a 5-11 team during his rookie season to an annual contender that reached at least the conference championship game in four of the past five seasons.
Now in Jacksonville, Armstead is looking to help the team reach new heights alongside young quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Doug Pederson. He views this as an opportunity to elevate the organization to a level of consistent dominance, playoff appearances, and championship aspirations. Armstead has not yet had in-depth conversations with Pederson but has heard positive things about the coach and is excited to play for him. Despite playing through a torn meniscus in the postseason, Armstead still managed to perform well, recording a sack in the Super Bowl while starting all three playoff games.
Armstead credits the practice of yoga, particularly hot yoga, for playing a significant role in his recovery from injuries. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health as a high-performing athlete, highlighting the toll that injuries can take on mental well-being. Armstead has been practicing yoga regularly since 2016, and it has become an essential part of his routine, helping him to reset his mind and focus on mindful practices during difficult times.
As part of his partnership with CorePower Yoga, Armstead is participating in a campaign during May Mental Health Awareness Month that offers free access to yoga and meditation classes on their on-demand platform. He believes that discussions about mental health are important, especially in male-dominated spaces where it can often be considered taboo. Armstead emphasizes the importance of emotional resilience and mental health, aiming to destigmatize these issues and raise awareness about their significance.
Looking ahead, Armstead plans to focus on winning a Super Bowl and believes he has at least another “five-plus” years left in his career. He is determined to lead the Jaguars to success and is excited about the potential the team has to achieve their goals. Armstead’s partnership with CorePower Yoga serves as a way for him to promote the importance of mental health and emotional resilience, while also sharing his own experiences with yoga and how it has helped him on and off the field.
