49ers named as trade suitor for reunion with 41-sack Jaguars DL after June 1

While the San Francisco 49ers added some help to their defensive line already this offseason, more help needs to be on the way.

It doesn't matter whether it's interior or exterior help; the 49ers just need to find a way to add more to this group that finished dead last in sacks in 2025.

With such a big need along the entire DL, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named the 49ers as potential trade suitors for a Jacksonville Jaguars DL with 41 sacks in his career, and it's a familiar face in Arik Armstead.

"Arik Armstead, DL, Jacksonville Jaguars," Knox writes. "... Potential suitors: San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans."

While the 49ers are a trade suitor with Armstead, the team likely would have to wait until a specific date, June 1, to make a trade. The reason why is clear: cap space.

49ers linked to Arik Armstead reunion after June 1

"However, he's 43 years old, and Jacksonville could save $14.5 million by trading him after June 1 - and only $2.3 million by trading him before then," Knox writes.

Armstead played nine of his 11 years in the NFL with the 49ers, and after spending 2024 and 2025 with Jacksonville, now might be the time to link up once more.

He had 5.5 sacks this past season, not a bad number, but if the Jaguars want to get younger and cheaper, he's a good trade candidate.

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And following the 2026 NFL Draft, there's very little reason not to wait until June 1 to trade him. There's a big $12.2 million difference between trading him before and after that date.

While the 49ers need more DL help, they could target someone like Joey Bosa to pair with Nick Bosa along the DL. Or, they could swing a trade for Armstead, who might not cost too much in comparison to how expensive he is right now.

The Jaguars could get cap relief and some draft pick value in return, while the 49ers beef up their DL, which recorded the fewest sacks in the NFL last year.

2026 will be Armstead's last year on his current deal, so this move would make sense for both sides after June 1. There's no guarantee the Jaguars move on from Armstead, but if they do, the 49ers should call and pursue a reunion this offseason.

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