San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman, Arik Armstead, is pushing for better communication and player input on the team's defense as they continue to struggle this season. Armstead believes that improved communication will help the team address their performance issues and turn their season around.

Armstead expressed his desire for more involvement during the game, stating, "I think it would be great to see how it goes, so we could have more communication and talk to the leader of our defense. Even up front and at all levels of the defense, we can have better lines of communication. I can communicate what I'm seeing from the O-line and things that can be helpful."

The 49ers' defensive coordinator, Vance Wilks, has faced criticism in his first season due to the team's recent three-game losing streak before entering the bye week. In consecutive games against the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, the defense allowed a troubling 79 percent completion rate on 80 pass attempts, resulting in 661 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions.

In addition to their struggles against the pass, the 49ers' defense has only managed three sacks in those two games and has struggled against the run as well. These shortcomings have raised concerns among fans and pundits alike.

However, Armstead remains optimistic and points out that past coordinators faced similar challenges early in their tenure. He alluded to former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who faced scrutiny in his first couple of seasons before leading the 49ers to become a top-five defense since 2019.

"If you look back at the history, people weren't too hot on Saleh, people weren't too hot on DeMeco when he first started," Armstead explained. "And you look at where we got, we've been a top-five defense ever since 2019, and we're still that now."

Armstead's comments highlight the need for patience and time to regain the team's defensive dominance. He believes that with better communication and continued trust in their defensive scheme, the 49ers can once again establish themselves as a formidable defensive unit.

As the team returns from their bye week, it remains to be seen how the 49ers' defense will respond to Armstead's plea for improved communication and player input. With Wilks and the coaching staff taking note of the players' concerns, fans hope to see a more cohesive and effective defense in the weeks to come.

Despite their recent struggles, Armstead's optimism and belief in the team's track record demonstrate that the 49ers' defense has the potential to regain their position as one of the best in the league.