Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday that the 49ers are committed to Armstead for at least the 2019 season.
"We're not into losing good players, and he has played very well for us," Shanahan said via NBC Sports Bay Area at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "I think he can take it to a whole other level and I hope to see him do that this year. If he does, that will be very good for the Niners and very good for him because he's got the ability to do it.
"He's already done some very good things for us in these two years. Hopefully, this year he can stay healthier. Hopefully, the addition of changing our style a little on the D-line will help him. And I expect him to get better."
The 49ers fired defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina in January and replaced him with Kris Kocurek. Kocurek did not join the team in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl. Instead, he got to work on studying his new players' film. Armstead will be among those new players, and Kocurek will have a season to figure out if the soon-to-be fifth-year player fits his style of play.
The 49ers made Armstead, who played college football at Oregon, the No. 17 overall selection in 2015. He registered 48 combined tackles, and a career-high three sacks through 16 starts with the 49ers in 2018. Armstead has recorded 98 combined tackles, nine sacks, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble through four NFL seasons.
"Arik's done a good job, and you don't want to lose good players," Shanahan said in December when asked about Armstead's future with the 49ers. "Those decisions are based off of how do you want to balance and allocate all the money because you can't do whatever you want.
"What are the options out there? What's our depth chart look like? And what's the best way to do it? But, if it's as simple as just Arik, then yes, we really are happy with Arik."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers injury news: Kyle Shanahan provides 3 key updates after win over Raiders
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after Thursday night's 18-12 preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, providing three key injury updates from the game. Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock, a fourth-round pick in the 2026... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan shifts focus to regular season: "It's going to get real, real fast"
The 2026 NFL preseason is in the books, and the San Francisco 49ers finished their exhibition schedule with an 18-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, the focus shifts to the regular season, with San Francisco set to face the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, in Week... -
Why 49ers' Kyle Shanahan refused to name players who stood out vs. Raiders
A few San Francisco 49ers players made positive impressions on head coach Kyle Shanahan during Thursday night's preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Shanahan opted to remain tight-lipped about his personnel evaluations, giving reporters little insight into his... -
How 49ers WR Jordan Watkins responded to Kyle Shanahan's challenge
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins hauled in four catches for a game-high 64 receiving yards on eight targets in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. In addition to his involvement in the passing attack, Watkins was more active in the...