Most players want to avoid the franchise tag, and seek more-secure long-term deals. Defensive lineman Arik Armstead, however, wouldn't mind it if it meant returning to the San Francisco 49ers for at least one more season.
Armstead played on a fifth-year option this past season and racked up a team-leading 10 sacks. He added two more in the playoffs.
The 49ers met with reporters in the locker room one last time before breaking for the offseason. They won't return until the team kicks off its offseason program.
"I would love being here," Armstead told Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "Trying to go back to the Super Bowl, so however that is seen or has to get done, it's not really my decision what they want to do with me."
#49ers DL Arik Armstead says he wouldn't mind if team tagged him this offseason. "I would love being here. Trying to go back to the Super Bowl, so however that is seen or has to get done, it's not really my decision what they want to do with me."
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) February 5, 2020
Armstead added that he would wait to see what the 49ers decide to do regarding the franchise tag, and then consider his options.
Armstead is a Northern California native and would love to remain close to his hometown of Sacramento. We'll just have to see if the 49ers are willing to pay the price to make that happen.