Jaguars could cut ties with 109-game starter who could garner interest from Packers

One of the Jacksonville Jaguars' free agency splashes in 2024 was defensive tackle Arik Armstead.

Armstead signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars during the 2024 offseason, and though his first year with the team didn't go very well, primarily due to a weird position change, the veteran had a bounce-back season in 2025, recording 5.5 sacks, 48 quarterback pressures, and 12 defensive stops.

Though Armstead is coming off a solid 2025 campaign, there has been some talk about whether Jacksonville could release the 32-year-old this summer, and that discussion isn't going away.

Armstead named cut candidate by Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report's Alex Kay believes Armstead is a premier cut candidate ahead of training camp in late July, and cites Jacksonville's trade for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro from the Atlanta Falcons earlier this offseason as a reason for the team to cut ties with Armstead.

"While Armstead was a quality contributor to the NFL's top rushing defense last year and recorded 5.5 sacks—his highest total since 2021—he's set to enter an age-33 season and could be due for a sharp regression. Jacksonville also traded for Ruke Orhorhoro this offseason and could slot him into Armstead's spot in the lineup," Kay wrote.

The Jaguars are in a dire cap situation, and cutting Armstead could be a tough decision that needs to be made soon. Jacksonville would save nearly $14.5 million by moving on from Armstead, who has no guaranteed money left on his deal and will be a free agent next offseason.

Additionally, trading for Orhorhoro could be a sign that Jacksonville is already planning for life after Armstead. Orhorhoro is under contract until 2028 on a much cheaper deal and is a developing player who has shown promise so far in his career.

Packers named possible landing spot for Armstead

If the Jaguars do end up cutting Armstead and roll with Orhorhoro and DaVon Hamilton on the interior of their defensive line, the Oregon product would immediately hit the free-agent market as one of the top players available.

As for where he could land in that scenario, Kay pinpoints the Green Bay Packers as a potential landing spot.

"The Green Bay Packers have been looking to get over the playoff hump after several fruitless trips and could benefit mightily from a grizzled veteran like Armstead joining their side. The Pack have a talented but young defensive line, one that could use a mentor and part-time rotational piece like Armstead to push them to the next level," Kay wrote.

The Packers already have their interior defensive line starters solidified with Javon Hargrave and Devonte Wyatt. However, Armstead could slide in as a fantastic rotational piece on the interior who would provide some pass-rushing juice and stout run defense.

Armstead also shouldn't be too expensive to sign if he enters free agency. His current contract with Jacksonville pays him $14.5 million a season with a $19.3 million cap hit in 2026. The 2015 first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers would go for much less than that on the open market.

Overall, the Jaguars could look to keep Armstead on their roster this year, as he played a crucial role on their defense in 2025. However, if he gets cut, Green Bay should look to pick him up and add a savvy veteran to the defensive tackle room who can play valuable snaps alongside Hargrave and Wyatt.