49ers reportedly plan to release DL Arik Armstead after he declined 'significant' pay cut [View all]

The San Francisco 49ers intend to release defensive lineman Arik Armstead after the two sides failed to agree on a restructured contract, according to multiple media reports.

Per NBC's Matt Maiocco, Armstead declined to take "a significant pay cut" to his scheduled salary of $17.4 million next season on the final year of his five-year, $85 million contract. He'll hit the market as a free agent.

SNIP

Armstead, 30, has played his entire nine-season NFL career with the 49ers. He's been a key piece of San Francisco's pass rush and started for two teams that advanced to the Super Bowl. He was the longest-tenured player on the team.

Armstead's contract was scheduled to count $28.4 million against San Francisco's salary cap next season. Depending on how and when it's designated, his release reportedly could open up anywhere from $2.5 million to $18 million in cap space.

https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-reportedly-plan-to-release-dl-arik-armstead-after-he-declined-significant-pay-cut-024844989.html

Huge news in San Francisco. This suggests they're all-in to re-sign free agent defensive end Clelin Ferrell, a run-stopping specialist, whose loss to a knee injury in Week 18 was felt throughout the playoffs.