The San Francisco 49ers want to keep their stout defensive line intact.
The Niners are working on a deal with defensive end Arik Armstead, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.
Armstead is scheduled to become a free agent at the beginning of the league year.
The 2015 first-round pick has spent his entire career with the 49ers and put up a career-high 10 sacks in 2019. Led by a defensive front featuring Armstead, Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomas, San Francisco rode an NFC-best 13-3 record to the Super Bowl.
Armstead would be a coveted commodity in a shallow market for pass-rushers if he were allowed to hit free agency.
