Monitor Bills’ Pursuit of Former 49ers $85 Million Star The Buffalo Bills are actively involved in free agency, having released several veterans and adjusted contracts, but they still need to ensure they comply with the salary cap. Despite their financial constraints, reports linking them to former San Francisco 49ers standout Arik Armstead have caught analysts’ attention.
After Armstead was officially released by the 49ers on March 13, Matt Barrows of The Athletic hinted at Buffalo as a potential destination. Greg Tompsett of Cover 1 expressed surprise at the possibility due to financial concerns. Given the Bills’ current financial situation, it remains uncertain what kind of competitive offer they could make. Armstead, who had one year remaining on his $85 million extension, became available because he refused to take a pay cut.
NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco reported that the 49ers asked Armstead to accept a significant pay cut, which he declined, leading to his release. With the release designated for post-June 1, the 49ers save cap space for 2024 while incurring dead money. The Bills could potentially benefit from Armstead’s prowess as a 6-foot-7, 290-pound interior lineman, especially considering his performance in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Anthony Prohaska of Cover 1 highlighted the prospect of Armstead playing alongside Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, emphasizing the Bills’ focus on building a strong defensive line under head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane. However, Armstead’s injury history, with 13 missed games over the past two seasons, may give the Bills pause.
Despite the Bills’ interest, other teams such as the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers are also eyeing Armstead. Meanwhile, the Bills’ defense is undergoing significant changes, with notable departures and uncertainties surrounding players like Micah Hyde. Nevertheless, they have managed to retain key defensive talents like A.J. Epenesa and DaQuan Jones, providing stability amidst potential roster turnover.
