New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (2024)

Though a first-year player for the Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive lineman Arik Armstead is already adjusting well to his new city and new team.

The 10-year NFL veteran has been very active this offseason since making the move from San Francisco, where he began his career with the 49ers, to Jacksonville.

He made a trip to Publix to try their famous subs and documented it on his social media platforms. And the Jaguars’ social team released video of Armstead, pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen and linebacker Foye Oluokun meeting and getting to further know each other.

First time trying Publix!! #florida #publix #pubsub pic.twitter.com/ZiEsKxkPSi

— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) May 21, 2024

“It's been great getting used to the city. Meeting my new teammates and coaches,” Armstead said at the conclusion of OTAs. “It's been a great transition. Excited about this year. Excited about the team we have. I think we have an amazing team that can accomplish a lot this year. And these are the building blocks for it.”

During OTAs, Armstead took note of former No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker and offered up a major compliment to the pass rusher. He said Walker could rise to become the best edge rusher in the league.

But it’s not just Walker, Armstead has been impressed with many of his new teammates.

New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (1)

“We have some great guys on the team. Some great guys on the defense and it's definitely a family feel here, which has been great,” he said. “Getting to know them and being able to hang out with them. We’ve been talking about this year and how continuity is going to be huge for us and sticking together and trusting one another.”

Armstead was brought in by the team as a part of the group of free agent signings who could serve dual purpose for the franchise. They’re valued players on the field, but they also bring a veteran presence and leadership the Jaguars lacked last season.

“Not so much in training camp, I'm looking down in December and January, what it looks like toward the end of the season. So you don't have what happened last year happen again,” head coach Doug Pederson said of Armstead during OTAs. “You need guys like that. I can only say so much but when you turn it over to the players and the guys that have been there, done that, it means more coming from them."

‘Be myself’: Armstead entering new team with same mindset

Armstead is entering unchartered territory in his career. For nine years he was with the same team, making an impact on and off the field in the Bay Area.

He appeared in 116 games with the Niners, recording 177 solo tackles, 33.5 sacks and three forced fumbles on the field

Armstead has been on Super Bowl teams and anchored some of the best defensive units in the league. He’s also a four-time Walter Payton Man of the Year award nominee, regarded as the most prestigious honor in the sport.

As he transitions into a new phase of his career, his approach is going to be from the same place that led him to all the success he’s seen so far.

New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (3)

“My mindset is to just be myself. I think that's gotten me this far and meeting new people, I want to be myself. Be authentic,” he said. “I don't believe in coming from a place and coming here and being like, ‘Oh, this is how we did it there,’ and blah, blah, blah.”

While being himself, Armstead understands the position he was placed into by joining the Jaguars. He understands the roster is largely unproven and he’s going to be leaned upon for leadership, especially by younger players.

With a new defensive coordinator in Ryan Nielsen, the actual on-field play is still largely unknown. The offseason provided hints and crumbs of what the scheme will look like, but until actual competition it’s all speculative.

Nielsen has talked about versatility and allowing players freedom to play multiple positions. Armstead is someone who could see success in that role, lining up on the edge and inside the defensive line.

New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (4)

“We have a great team,” Armstead continued. “What it's going to always boil down to is execution and discipline in situations when you're trying to reach new heights.”

Those new heights won’t come easy. With the AFC South reloading this offseason and the Jaguars looking to reclaim the title, there’s going to be struggles.

Offensively, Houston added pieces like Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, the Titans added Calvin Ridley, and the Colts are looking forward to entering the season with a healthy backfield of Anthony Richardson and Jonathon Taylor for the first time.

But Armstead is looking forward to riding the waves and helping his new team reach the pinnacle.

“There's gonna be a lot of adversity along the way and how do you respond to that, to get over that hump,” Armstead said. “That's what we're all excited to try to do this season and moving forward with our team. I have experience doing that.

"I've been 2-14 in this league, and I've been 13-3 and gone to a Super Bowl, so I know what I know what it looks like. I've been part of that journey of getting over that hump and I'm excited to try to help do that here.”

Third and Long: Armstead grows in podcasting space

New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (5)

Earlier this offseason, Armstead hosted Hines-Allen on his podcast, Third and Long, from inside of EverBank Stadium to talk about goals and expectations for the upcoming season.

He entered the podcasting space before the 2023 season began and has continued to grow in the audio media forum. According to Armstead, he wanted to start podcasting for several reasons.

“I'm always challenging myself to do things out of my comfort zone,” he began. “Challenge myself if I have an idea, I want to do something, to put a plan in place and get it done. So I had an idea that I wanted to do a podcast.”

Excited to suit up with you too dawg.
Full pod with @JoshAllen41_ is live.

Listen here: https://t.co/khQqsocpFA pic.twitter.com/rjxSfeuiP2

— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) May 10, 2024

Another reason for the podcast was to give a first-hand perspective of what happens on the football field. That’s especially in relation to what happens in Armstead’s games or regarding things pertaining to his team.

“I was really just tired of getting online, getting on social media, and just content being generated about me and my team,” he continued. “I know the real. I know what's going on. I'm just kind of tired of, everything. Whenever I get online is someone talking about me, or my situation or my team or my teammates, and not me or someone from within doing that.”

And lastly, he wanted to teach people the game of football.

“I wanted to teach them the game, I wanted to show a different side,” he said. “Show people what's going on in my head out there and what really happened out there between those white lines.”

— Arik Armstead (@arikarmstead) May 15, 2024

Armstead isn’t the first professional athlete to start a podcast while still actively playing and he likely won’t be the last. But for him, he’s proud of the progress he’s made in the space and is looking forward to his continued growth.

“I've been getting better at articulating that and what's been going on out there,” he said. “I just wanted to bring people closer to the game and be a new voice and a new presence in the space.”

Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporterfor the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at@JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Arik Armstead is acclimating to Jacksonville, new teammates

New Jaguars DL Arik Armstead ready to make impact for city of Jacksonville in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Why are the Jaguars in Jacksonville? ›

The history of the Jacksonville Jaguars, an American football team in the National Football League (NFL), formally dates to November 30, 1993, when the NFL awarded Jacksonville, Florida the expansion franchise that became the Jacksonville Jaguars.

How long have the Jaguars been in Jacksonville? ›

Jacksonville Jaguars, American professional gridiron football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, that plays in the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The Jaguars began play in 1995 as an expansion team alongside the Carolina Panthers of the National Football Conference (NFC).

Who brought the Jaguars to Jacksonville? ›

Shahid Khan (2012–present)

Founded alongside the Carolina Panthers in 1995 as an expansion team, the Jaguars competed in the AFC Central until they were moved to the AFC South in 2002. The franchise is owned by Shahid Khan, who bought the team from its original majority owner Wayne Weaver in 2012.

When did the Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars enter the NFL? ›

The Carolina Panthers' history formally dates back to 1993, when the NFL awarded the franchise to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, began play in the 1995 NFL season as expansion teams.

Why do Jaguars fans say Duval? ›

Jags supporters regularly chant 'Duval' during the franchise's game to recognize the county that makes up the majority of Jacksonville. The Jaguars started playing in 1995 although the chant didn't carry over to football until years later having first been heard on the airwaves.

Where do Jacksonville Jaguars players live? ›

All played for the Jaguars, and most could live anywhere they choose. Some left briefly for other teams, and even other careers, but now — whether they live in Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra, Queen's Harbor, Jacksonville Golf and Country Club or Marsh Landing — all call Jacksonville home.

Why is Jacksonville so famous? ›

Jax Culture Facts

Southern rock legends, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers Band were formed in Jax. In its mid-20th century heyday, the LaVilla neighborhood, home to the Ritz Theatre and LaVilla Museum, was known as the "Harlem of the South."

What is the nickname of the Jacksonville Jaguars? ›

Cardiac Jags: the Jacksonville Jaguars earned this nickname because of making several comeback wins and/or winning nail-biters.

Who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium? ›

EverBank Stadium
LocationJacksonville, Florida
Coordinates30°19′26″N 81°38′15″W
OwnerCity of Jacksonville
OperatorASM Global
Construction
22 more rows

What is the oldest NFL team? ›

The Arizona Cardinals are the oldest established team in the NFL. They were established in 1898 as an independent team and joined the NFL in its founding year of 1920.

What is Jaguars net worth? ›

Forbes magazine released its valuations of NFL teams this week and the Jaguars showed a 15 percent increase over last year for a total valuation of $4 billion.

Why did the Jacksonville Jaguars change their logo? ›

The Jaguars on Thursday unveiled a newly-designed logo to commemorate their upcoming 30th season, a logo decided by fans in a month-long vote and symbolizing the franchise's three-decade journey since its 1995 inaugural season.

Who has the youngest team in the NFL? ›

The Incredible Numbers. The “green and growing” Packers fielded by far the youngest roster in the NFL in 2023.

Have the Jaguars ever won a Super Bowl? ›

Four of them -- the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars -- have never reached the big game, while five others have fallen short despite multiple title appearances. Here is a look at all 12 teams who have never won a title, along with their number of Super Bowl appearances.

What is the best Jaguars team of all-time? ›

The next four players on the list - running back Fred Taylor, wide receiver Jimmy Smith, quarterback Mark Brunell and defensive end Tony Brackens - were the cornerstones - along with Boselli - of the 1999 team (15-3), the best in team history.

Why is the jaguar the mascot for Jacksonville? ›

Jaguars Jaxson de Ville | Jacksonville Jaguars - jaguars.com

Jaxson's age is unknown, but he was first discovered in 1993 as a stray cat living at the stadium. He lived in the south scoreboard watching the Jaguars' inaugural season until the 1996 season, when he officially became the Jaguars' mascot.

Why does Jacksonville have an NFL team? ›

Godbold decided that bringing an NFL team could help bring the city together and create a new spirit and pride. The Jacksonville Bulls of the short-lived USFL showed the appetite for football in the city.

Why did New Orleans choose Jacksonville? ›

After Hurricane Ida forced the Saints to move their regular-season opener out of New Orleans, the team was given multiple options by the NFL for the relocation of the game, but in the end, they chose Jacksonville and it appears they mostly chose Jacksonville in an effort to stick it to the Packers.

Why do they call Jacksonville, Jax? ›

After Spain ceded the Florida Territory to the United States in 1821, American settlers on the north side of the Cow Ford decided to plan a town, laying out the streets and plats. They named the town Jacksonville, after celebrated war hero and first Territorial Governor (later U.S. president) Andrew Jackson.

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