Ryan Nielsen explains puzzling usage of Jaguars' colossal free-agency disappointment

When the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Arik Armstead in free agency, it looked like they had made a massive upgrade on the defensive line. After all, the former Oregon Duck was one of the best at creating pressure from the interior in the NFL throughout his career. However, he's left much to be desired. In fact, it's not a stretch to call him a disappointment based on the way he's played in 2024.

Part of Armstead's impact (or lack thereof) in Jacksonville arises from the fact that he's been getting ample playing time on the edge when he's a much better fit to line up inside. During a recent exchange with the local media, Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen talked about the big's usage this season.

"We discussed inside/outside, kind of with the guy when we signed him. It was more of an outside vision, and move him inside on third down, just depth chart-wise and things and kind of where he wanted to play and things like that," Nielsen responded when asked why Armstead doesn't play like up inside, where he's the most comfortable, more often. "A lot of the situational stuff, putting them inside, that's where he's playing two-minute [defense], things like that. But he definitely can go inside."

Nielsen continued, "It's just when do we want to start working him in there? You may see him coming up here, moving inside and nickel situations, things like that. But he's got to continue to play the left end position. That takes a little time, playing from inside to outside. We just have to give him a few more snaps out there, give him, he's comfortable at it just more snaps at it."

Armstead, a first-round pick in 2015, spent his 10 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He was asked to take a pay cut early in 2024 and was released when he refused. He would later go on to call the Niners' request disrespectful. Not long after the California native became available, the Jaguars signed him to a three-year deal worth $42.5 million.

At the time, the move looked great. After all, Armstead had routinely been one of the top players at his position in the league during his stint in the Bay Area, getting the 15th-highest Pro Football Focus overall mark among interior defenders as recently as 2023.

But instead of lining up on the interior, Armstead has been the No. 3 pass rusher behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Not surprisingly, his numbers have suffered a drop. This season, he's played 253 defensive snaps and 140 of those have come on the edge. That's led to a measly 12 total pressures and one sack. Here's Nielsen's full exchange. His remarks about the veteran defensive lineman come at the 13:46 mark.

Arik Armstead must play inside if the Jaguars if they want to get more bang for the buck

Arik Armstead's usage in Jacksonville makes sense after Ryan Neilsen talked about it, but that doesn't make it any less puzzling. After all, the team's brass knows he's better suited to play inside. Moreover, they have no reason — besides stubbornness — to insist on having him play on the edge.

It's understandable that the Jaguars want to keep Armstead on the edge after talking about the way they would use him in free agency. That said, plans can and do change; the coaching staff has shown that it's not adverse to switching players to different positions if needed.

For instance, Jacksonville envisioned Darnell Savage manning the slot when he was signed earlier this year. But after a few weeks, the coaching staff has scrapped the plan, and Savage is back at safety, where he's enjoyed the most success throughout his career. Granted, Armstead is drawing a bigger salary, but what's stopping the Jaguars from moving him inside?

Perhaps the Jaguars vision will come to fruition and Arik Armstead will thrive on the edge. Having said that, there's also a chance he'll continue to be underwhelming unless he switches to the interior defensive line.

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