49ers' Armstead didn't see Buckner trade coming: 'It was a shock'
It's been an offseason with mixed emotions for San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead.
Armstead received a five-year, $85-million extension from the 49ers. But then his longtime teammate DeForest Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, a move that surprised him.
"I didn't have any knowledge of it, so I signed and then I heard of that, so it was a shock to me," Armstead said in an interview on KNBR 680's "Papa and Lund."
The Colts dealt their 2020 first-round pick for Buckner, who received a new four-year, $84-million deal from Indianapolis.
"You know, I was confused and I didn't really expect that," Armstead said. "Super excited and happy for him. Me and him actually have been working out for a few weeks now, so we've been able to hang out and talk about it. God works in mysterious ways and we both believe things happen for a reason.
"It's going to be weird not playing alongside each other anymore like we have done for about eight years, but I know he's going to do amazing things up there with the Colts. I'm super happy for him."
Armstead and Buckner have shared the field since their time together at Oregon from 2012 to 2014. San Francisco then reunited the two defensive linemen in the NFL after selecting them during the first round in back-to-back drafts in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Over the last four seasons, the duo combined for 45.5 sacks and 111 quarterback hits, with Buckner accounting for 28.5 and 74.
The 49ers hold two first-round picks for the third time in the last five seasons. They're currently scheduled to make selections with the 13th and 31st overall picks in 2020.
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