Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars

When the Jacksonville Jaguars signed defensive lineman Arik Armstead to a four-year contract in the 2025 offseason, fans and analysts alike knew the move was about more than adding a veteran presence—it was about unlocking Armstead’s full potential by returning him to his natural position: defensive tackle. After spending the final three seasons of his San Francisco 49ers tenure primarily as an edge rusher (a role he took on out of team necessity), Armstead is now back in the interior defensive line spot where he thrived early in his career. For the Jaguars, this position shift isn’t just a personal win for Armstead; it’s a strategic move to bolster a defensive line that struggled to stop the run and generate interior pressure in 2024. Through the first month of training camp, Armstead’s return to defensive tackle has already paid dividends—he’s recorded four sacks in scrimmages, dominated one-on-one drills against offensive linemen, and become a vocal leader for the Jaguars’ young defensive unit. Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a roster adjustment; it’s a revival of a player’s best self—and a game-changer for the Jaguars’ defense.

Armstead’s journey back to his natural position is rooted in his football identity, which was forged during his college career at Oregon and his early NFL years with the 49ers. As a collegiate standout, Armstead lined up almost exclusively as a defensive tackle, using his 6’7”, 310-pound frame to clog running lanes and push interior offensive linemen back into quarterbacks. In his second NFL season (2017), he emerged as a force at the position, recording 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 10 quarterback hits while helping the 49ers’ defense rank 12th in run defense. But in 2022, the 49ers moved Armstead to edge rusher to fill a roster gap—a shift that forced him to adapt his technique (focusing on speed rushes instead of power moves) and sacrifice some of his strengths. While he managed 10 sacks over three seasons as an edge, Armstead has long been open about his preference for the interior. “Defensive tackle is where I feel most comfortable, where I can use my size and strength to make plays,” Armstead said during his introductory press conference with the Jaguars. “When the Jaguars told me they wanted me back at tackle, it felt like coming home.” This sense of familiarity has translated to immediate success in camp, with Armstead saying he’s “playing with more confidence than I have in years.” Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is a return to the roots that made him an NFL starter.

The Jaguars’ decision to move Armstead back to defensive tackle was driven by both his strengths and the team’s defensive needs. In 2024, the Jaguars ranked 24th in the NFL in run defense (allowing 120.3 yards per game) and 28th in interior sacks (just 8 from defensive tackles). Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen knew that fixing these issues required a dominant interior presence—someone who could occupy multiple offensive linemen, stop runs at the line of scrimmage, and occasionally push into the backfield for sacks. Armstead, with his size, strength, and experience, fit that role perfectly. “Arik’s ability to play both the run and the pass from the interior is exactly what we needed,” Allen explained during a training camp presser. “When he’s at defensive tackle, he can take on two guards, which frees up our linebackers to make tackles. And when he’s pass-rushing, he can bull-rush centers into the quarterback—something we didn’t have last year.” The Jaguars have designed specific drills in camp to highlight these strengths: Armstead participates in “double-team drills” where he faces two offensive linemen and works to maintain his gap, and “pass-rush stations” that focus on power moves like the bull rush and swim move (techniques he hadn’t used regularly as an edge rusher). The results have been clear: in a recent scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins, Armstead pushed a center back two yards to sack quarterback Tua Tagovailoa—a play that drew cheers from teammates and coaches. Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is a perfect alignment of player skill and team need.

For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Armstead’s return to defensive tackle has had a ripple effect on the entire defense, making the unit more balanced and disruptive. With Armstead clogging the interior, edge rushers Josh Allen and Travon Walker have seen fewer double teams—Allen has recorded five sacks in camp, a 25% increase from last year’s preseason pace. Linebackers Foyesade Oluokun and rookie Marcus Williams have also benefited, as Armstead’s ability to stop runs at the line has let them focus on covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game. “Arik makes everyone around him better,” Allen said. “When he’s in the middle, offenses can’t just focus on stopping the edge—they have to account for him too. That opens up opportunities for all of us.” The Jacksonville Jaguars have also noticed a cultural shift: Armstead, a 10-year NFL veteran, has taken young defensive linemen like DaVon Hamilton and Tyler Lacy under his wing, teaching them techniques for playing the interior and sharing insights on reading offensive formations. In film study sessions, he often points out how offensive linemen tip their blocks—something he learned during his years as a defensive tackle. “Arik isn’t just playing well—he’s leading,” head coach Doug Pederson said. “He’s showing our young guys what it takes to be a dominant interior lineman, and that’s invaluable.” Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is lifting the entire defense to new heights.

Armstead’s position shift has also aligned with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ long-term defensive strategy, which focuses on building a “two-deep” defensive line that can sustain success through injuries and fatigue. Before signing Armstead, the Jaguars relied heavily on Hamilton as their only proven interior pass-rusher—a setup that left them vulnerable if Hamilton was injured. Now, with Armstead at defensive tackle and Hamilton rotating in (along with Lacy), the Jaguars have three reliable options in the interior. This depth was on display during a recent practice when Hamilton left with a minor ankle injury: Armstead shifted to Hamilton’s “three-technique” spot (lining up between the guard and center), and Lacy stepped in at Armstead’s “one-technique” spot (lining up next to the center)—the defense didn’t miss a beat, recording two sacks in the next series. “Depth is everything in the NFL, especially on the defensive line,” general manager Trent Baalke said. “By moving Arik back to tackle, we’ve created a rotation that keeps guys fresh and ensures we’re never without a playmaker in the interior.” The Jacksonville Jaguars also see Armstead as a “bridge” player—someone who can mentor young defensive linemen until they’re ready to take over, ensuring the position remains strong for years to come. Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is a key piece of the Jaguars’ plan to build a sustainable, championship-caliber defense.

Looking ahead, the Jacksonville Jaguars have high expectations for Armstead’s first season back at defensive tackle—and so does Armstead himself. He’s set a personal goal of recording 7+ sacks and 50+ tackles, numbers that would make him one of the top interior defensive linemen in the AFC. The team also expects him to be a key contributor in their efforts to win the AFC South, especially against division rivals like the Indianapolis Colts (who have a strong running game) and the Houston Texans (who feature a mobile quarterback in C.J. Stroud). “I’m not just here to play—I’m here to win,” Armstead said. “This position shift has given me a new lease on my career, and I want to use that to help the Jaguars get to the playoffs and beyond.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, Armstead’s return to his natural position is more than a one-year experiment; it’s a commitment to putting players in positions to succeed—a philosophy that has already transformed their defense. As Allen put it, “When you have a player like Arik, you don’t force him to fit a role—you build the role around him. That’s exactly what we’ve done, and it’s going to pay off.” Arik Armstead Returns to Natural Position with Jacksonville Jaguars is a story of renewal, strategy, and hope—one that could define the Jaguars’ defensive success for years to come.