The new league year and NFL free agency did not disappoint last week, especially when looking at the NFC West.
The landscape has undoubtedly changed following a ton of divisional moves.
For the Arizona Cardinals, the additions of Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson greatly outweigh the departures of Roy Lopez, Naquan Jones and Khyiris Tonga. Work still needs to be done, highlighted by the team’s need to add along the interior of the trenches and another pair of hands, but Arizona appears on the right track filling glaring needs.
As for the rest of the division? That’s definitely up for debate.
A look at some of the biggest additions and subtractions from around the NFC West and what they could mean moving forward:
NFC West roundup: The San Francisco 49ers’ mass exodus
What is going on in San Francisco?!
The subtractions have been louder than the additions for the 49ers this offseason. Major contributors Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, Leonard Floyd (released) and Javon Hargrave (released) have gone on to sign elsewhere. San Francisco also shipped off wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Jordan Mason via trades.
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San Francisco’s outside additions this offseason have done little to replace what was lost, with wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, cornerback Jason Pinnock and tight end Luke Farrell marking the team’s biggest signings as of Friday morning.
They did, however, avoid another big departure with the re-signing of fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
It’s clear San Francisco is looking to the NFL Draft to replenish some of the talent they lost this free agency. They’ve also got to clear space for the eventual contract extension coming quarterback Brock Purdy’s way sooner rather than later.
Still, there’s little confidence San Francisco will return to action as Super Bowl contenders in 2025 after being in the conversation the past few years. That window feels like it’s just about shut.
Kupp half-full in Seattle?
The Seattle Seahawks decided to flip the script this offseason with a huge offensive overhaul. This is not going to be the same Seattle offense you’ve seen in recent years, with quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf getting dealt and wideout Tyler Lockett and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb being shown the door.
The team also lost starting guard Laken Tomlinson and depth piece Stone Forsythe to free agency.
Seattle didn’t waste much time finding a couple of big-name replacements, with quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Cooper Kupp heading to the Pacific Northwest. Darnold is coming off his best season as a pro in his one season with the Minnesota Vikings behind 35 touchdowns and 4,319 yards on 66.2% passing. Those are all career marks.
Kupp meanwhile is three years removed from his massive 1,947-yard mark in 2021, though still presents a trusted weapon that knows plenty about playing in the NFC West.
Still, those are some major offensive moves after Seattle exceeded expectations behind a 10-7 mark and eighth-ranked passing game under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald.
Having an up-and-coming defense that is expected to take another step allows Seattle to gamble a bit.
While there is still plenty of room for improvement, Seattle had a top 15 unit highlighted by an 11th ranked passing defense in Year 1 under the defensive-minded Macdonald.
Leading the way for Seattle in that regard are cornerbacks Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant and safety Julian Love. Each of them reeled in a trio of interceptions last year.
Adding in a veteran pass rusher like DeMarcus Lawrence and keeping defensive tackle Jarran Reed around should only help move the needle for Seattle’s defense.
Rams reload with Matthew Stafford locked in
In terms of free agency hauls, the Los Angeles Rams may be the closest to the Cardinals.
They lost Kupp to Seattle and Robinson to San Francisco, but pivoted to wide receiver Davante Adams to help fill the void alongside Puka Nacua. Maybe getting away from Aaron Rodgers will get him back on track?
L.A. also went out and added some beef with the signing of defensive tackle Poona Ford to pair with Kobie Turner in the trenches.
But arguably the biggest moves the Rams made this offseason was keeping Matthew Stafford in town.
After being given permission to look for a trade, Stafford and Los Angeles smoothed things over behind a restructured deal.
His play along with head coach Sean McVay’s acumen makes the Rams a tough out, as we’ve seen in recent years.
Despite looking like a team destined to miss the playoffs last year with a 1-4 start, L.A. ended up winning the division by season’s end.
Until McVay hangs it up, L.A. is going to be a problem for the Cardinals and the rest of the division.
Which NFC West team has won the offseason so far?
The divisional winner this offseason (as of Thursday) comes down between the Rams and Cardinals, with Arizona slightly out in front.
L.A. lost one of its premier weapons but added a proven option and still have Stafford and McVay calling the shots.
Arizona meanwhile went to work at filling needs that were glaring issues just a year prior. Given the additions of Sweat and Tomlinson coupled with the mix of returners, the Cardinals’ pass-rush and run-stop win rates should take a big step forward.
Continuity is key in the NFL, and for the most part, the Rams and Cardinals achieved that at some critical positions this offseason.
Seattle on the other hand has a lot to prove offensively, putting them a tier lower than the Rams. Just too many new faces to account for.
Then you have San Francisco, a team that feels closer to a full-on rebuild than a return to the postseason at this point in time.
By and large, the 49ers are the division’s biggest losers so far this offseason. It’s not even close.
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