Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers with DeForest Buckner #99 (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The 49ers invested in Arik Armstead before trading DeForest Buckner, and it’s the former’s job to justify the move.
If San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead plays like he did in 2019, the Niners’ blockbuster decision to trade away Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts will be a worthy one.
Ultimately, it came down to money. Buckner was asking for a contract in the range of what Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was getting, and Buckner received it after the deal: a multiyear contract worth $21 million annually.