‘It all happened very quickly’: New Jaguar Arik Armstead is ready for his Jacksonville masterclass

The NFL free agency can be a whirlwind process.

“It all happened very quickly,” new Jaguar Arik Armstead said.

The Jaguars signed Armstead to a 3-year contract worth up to $51 million. While money was a factor in his decision, Armstead mentioned his relationship with Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke as being a factor as well as just looking for a team he can help take the next step.

“My goal was to find the next stage of my career in some place that I feel comfortable, that valued me as a player as well too, and a place I can take the next step and grow in. A place that’s competitive and that I feel I can come in and help get them over the hump.,” Armstead said.

Armstead is fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance with the 49ers last season. Many of the free agents the Jaguars signed this year are coming from successful teams. Armstead believes that leadership and experience are part of what he will be able to bring to Jacksonville.

“Teams are always trying to get a winning culture in the building and guys that have had success and know what it looks like,” Armstead said. “This team has Super Bowl aspirations and when we get there, I’ve already been through that, and I know what it’s going to look like and what to expect.”

Armstead had a meniscus injury last season that forced him to miss the final five games of the regular season. Armstead played through the injury and made all three playoff starts for the 49ers. He had offseason surgery on the injury and said he is on the road to recovery.

“Knee is feeling good, surgery went great. I’ll be back very soon,” he said.

Learning about new cities and teams can be hard. Arik took to X to ask his followers for advice about what he needs to know about Jacksonville.

He said he learned a few things from the response:

“That we hate the Titans. Okay, so I understand that rivalry. I noted that. Somebody sent me a bunch of good food places, which I appreciate. I’m a big foodie,” Armstead said.

While Arik will bring a lot to the Jaguars on the football field, he also aims to bring a lot to the community of Jacksonville.

Armstead is a 4-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, which recognizes the work players do in the community. Armstead said he is looking forward to learning about the First Coast and finding ways to get involved.

“My nonprofit is education-based, which is across the globe. I’m sure there are education inequities in Jacksonville as well too,” he said. “I’m excited to explore more and really seek how I can be a huge impact in Jacksonville. These issues that I’m trying to solve are across our nation and in every community. There’s equity gap. There’s achievement gap. There’s poverty. I really feel that education is the key to solving a lot of issues in our country when you look at social injustice and other issues as well, too,”