Breaking news: Jacksonville Jaguars veteran star is back

Anthony Campanile’s first season as defensive coordinator is expected to bring about a significant improvement for the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. In 2024, the defense suffered greatly at all three levels: rushing the quarterback, covering the run, and stopping the run. With the fourth-fewest pressures and the fifth-fewest sacks, the Jaguars’ pass rush stood out adversely, giving opposition quarterbacks plenty of time to throw.

The Jaguars are hoping that their seasoned defender will get better.

The standout defense for the Jacksonville Jaguars experienced a difficult position adjustment.

In 2024, Arik Armstead was converted from an interior defensive lineman to an EDGE rusher by the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the fourth-fewest tackles for loss and quarterback hits, the third-fewest sacks, the fewest starts, and the smallest snap share in his ten-year NFL career, Armstead had a difficult adjustment. In one start and 17 games, he collected 29 tackles, three TFLs, 36 pressures, seven quarterback hits, and two sacks in 48% of snaps.
For the next season, Arik Armstead has stated that he intends to play defensive tackle, his natural position. He thinks that this will enable him to resume playing at a high level.

According to Bobby Kownack of NFL.com, Armstead stated, “That’s going to be my plan.” “I also intended to do that this season. In this league, you have to cope with certain conditions. I’m going to return to playing to the level of an excellent player I know I can be, which is what I intended to achieve this season.

The star defender will go back to his natural position.

According to the team’s website, Gladstone stated, “We definitely look forward to seeing guys in different positions than they’ve been in the past and that being an element that activates different sides of them.” “We’re looking forward to it because their entire strategy has been excellent so far.”

He’ll face a second-round selection.

It is anticipated that Arik Armstead will face off against Maason Smith, a previous second-round selection, for the starting defensive tackle position. Smith missed five games due to an ankle ailment and one due to a healthy scratch, although he played a bigger role later in the season. During his five starts, he recorded 17 tackles, three TFLs, 14 pressures, four quarterback hits, and three sacks.

Will Arik Armstead be able to resume playing at a high level and reclaim his starting position?