With Arik Armstead's release, 49ers begin the inevitable reshaping of their team

The 49ers released team captain Arik Armstead, a move to free cap space now and in the future but a signifier of the inevitable reset awaiting San Francisco.

The San Francisco 49ers have played in the biggest games the NFL offers since 2019, yet their lack of a Super Bowl holds them back from legitimizing this successful run.

A bevy of high-profile contract extensions and consistent shopping on the highest end of the free-agent market has given the Niners arguably the best roster in the NFL, but the bill always comes due in the NFL.

With Arik Armstead's release, the 49ers have begun their inevitable retooling.

Arik Armstead was a key cog in the 49ers defense. His ascension in 2019 helped set the stage for the 49ers surprise Super Bowl run, and his play was always rock-solid, when healthy. There lies the final caveat for the 49ers: Armstead's health and his demanding $17.4 million salary was too much for a 49ers team seeking one last shot at a Super Bowl with this core group. The 49ers reportedly attempted to negotiate a pay cut with Armstead, only for him to choose to go to free agency at the end.

The 49ers plan to use these new savings to shop at the highest level of the free agent market, with Danielle Hunter a major option, but the release of Armstead is also a move to the future, clearing his cap hit from future years. With the looming contract extension of Brock Purdy, the 49ers will have to make more serious decisions like this.

Armstead's release is only the first the 49ers will make in the coming years. This one just came early.

Read more from Niner Noise