Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox listed out several players who may be on their respective teams' chopping blocks in the wake of the opening waves of free agency.
Not surprisingly, Knox listed the San Francisco 49ers' disgruntled wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, on the list.
But, there's another name on the list whom Niners fans will have no problem recalling.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead.
Armstead, who spent 2015 through 2023 with San Francisco, ultimately refused a pay cut entering 2024 and found himself released, subsequently signing with the Jags as a free agent not long thereafter.
And while his two years in North Florida have been productive, Jacksonville's own salary cap restraints point to the veteran being a potential cap casualty, as Knox detailed:
The Jacksonville Jaguars may try to extend or restructure the contract of defensive lineman Arik Armstead before simply releasing him. The 11-year vet appeared in 16 games for Jacksonville in 2025 and finished with 28 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss.
However, Jacksonville could save $14.5 million in cap space by releasing Armstead after June 1. That could matter because the Jags are near the bottom of the league with just $6.9 million in effective cap space.
Cap constraints have, to this point, prevented the Jaguars from being overly active in free agency. Jacksonville did re-sign a handful of players and add running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. However, it hasn't made any splash additions and lost Travis Etienne Jr. and Quay Walker to other teams in free agency.
While the Jaguars might not make any big-name additions over the summer, releasing Armstead would give them the financial flexibility to plug holes they can't address in the draft. Jacksonville doesn't own a first-round selection as a result of last year's move to land Travis Hunter.
Could the 49ers potentially benefit from the Jags' cap issues?
It's not out of the question.
49ers have a reason to reunite with Arik Armstead (if Jaguars release him)
True, the Niners spent considerable effort and resources to make their defensive line younger and cheaper over the last year-plus, drafting Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins and C.J. West in 2025 before trading for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa at the start of the league new year.
But San Francisco also lost edge rusher Bryce Huff to a sudden retirement weeks ago, and it's potentially going to be without Williams and fellow defensive end Nick Bosa, who both tore their ACLs last season.
Bosa is probably back by Week 1. But Williams' return is far less certain.
At this stage in his career, Armstead might not be an every-down player. But, as 49ers fans can attest, he was excellent setting the edge against the run during his Niners tenure, doubling inside on passing situations. That was Williams' intended role, so if the second-year pro isn't ready for the regular season, calling on Armstead to plug the gap and provide some veteran leadership wouldn't be the worst option.
Granted, Armstead's asking price matters, and it's unclear whether or not he'd want to return to San Francisco in light of how his first tenure ended.
But, if there's mutual interest, the need is certainly there.