The NFC West was a bag of surprises in 2023. The Los Angeles Rams became the worst defending Super Bowl champion in NFL history, finishing on a 5-12-0 mark. The Arizona Cardinals nosedived to the bottom of the standings with a 4-13-0 record, while the Seattle Seahawks – to the surprise of all and sundry – finished with a 9-8-0 record behind Geno Smith and made the playoffs. Last but not least, the San Francisco 49ers marched to the division title and then the NFC Championship game, despite resorting to the quarterback carousel.
All four teams face some big decisions in the offseason, from free agency and trade decisions to the talent grab of the 2023 NFL Draft. All these decisions can drastically alter the NFC West landscape ahead of the next season.
Join us as we weigh in on all four teams in the NFC West. We’ll look at the free agents in each camp that could be strutting their stuff on the offseason catwalk and identify the top needs most likely to shape each team’s decision-making during the open market and beyond.
Let’s check the latest NFL news, stats, injury reports, and NFL picks for you to consider.
NFL Free Agency NFC West Lookahead
1. Cardinals
Top Needs:
- Edge
- Cornerback
- Defensive Tackle
- Wide receiver
- Running back
- Quarterback (?)
A season that started with such promise ended in total embarrassment and the sacking of head coach Kliff Kingsbury — who’d ironically signed a contract extension 10 months earlier that would have seen him in the job through to 2027. Then, there was quarterback Kyler Murray, who’d also signed a lucrative five-year, $230 million deal ahead of the 2022 NFL season but turned in a pedestrian performance before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Arguably, he too must carry, in part, the burden of the complete and utter mess that the Cardinals find themselves in this offseason.
New general manager Monti Ossenfort and new head coach Jonathan Gannon will have their work cut out, evaluating everything and everyone – this likely includes Murray – as they embark on a rebuild in 2023. The No. 1 starter is expected to return next season, but his injury is likely to impact his performance if not delay his return altogether. That means, right off the bat, the most important position in the game is a glaring area of concern. Backup quarterback Colt McCoy turns 37 in September, while Trace McSorely is an unrestricted free agent. It’s also worth noting that the Cardinals have the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which they could use to draft one of the coveted quarterback prospects coming up this year.
Arizona is looking at a cap space in the region of $20 million, but that could change with free agency, savvy restructuring, and necessary cuts. They have almost 30 unrestricted free agents on the books and J.J. Watt’s retirement to contend with.
Watt’s departure adds a giant-sized hole to what was already a porous Cards D that finished 30th overall in points per game allowed. Watt, along with Budda Baker, did their best to mask these holes, but they could only do so much individually within a defense that lacked talent at all three levels. Upgrading the defense at the cornerback, linebacker, and defensive tackle positions is going to be a primary concern for Arizona’s new staff.
On the plus side, the offense is built on a solid foundation of playmakers, including WR DeAndre Hopkins, WR Marquise Brown, TE Zach Ertz, and RB James Conner. However, none of them had a particularly standout year, thanks to Murray’s poor performance. Getting better protection for the quarterback might help in this regard. That means prioritizing top-tier offensive tackles and bolstering the offensive line altogether, especially with center Rodney Hudson expected to retire and guards Justin Pugh and Will Hernandez, alongside right tackle Kelvin Beachum, all likely to test the open market.
- Unrestricted Free Agents (29): DE Zach Allen, TE Stephen Anderson, S Chris Banjo, OT Kelvin Beachum, LS Aaron Brewer, DE Michael Dogbe, G Cody Ford, G Max Garcia, WR A.J. Green, OLB Kamu Grugier-Hill, CB Antonio Hamilton, G Sean Harlow, G Will Hernandez, DT Trysten Hill, C Rodney Hudson, P Andy Lee, QB Trace McSorley, CB Byron Murphy, LB Ben Niemann, K Matt Prater, G Billy Price, G Justin Pugh, ILB Ezekiel Turner, OLB Tanner Vallejo, OLB Nick Vigil, S Charles Washington, DE J.J. Watt, RB Darrel Williams, TE Maxx Williams
- Restricted Free Agents (1): WR Greg Dortch,
- Restricted/ Exclusive Free-Rights Agents (1): WR Antoine Wesley,
Is Kyler Murray OVERRATED? 🤯@JohnMiddlekauff explains the logic on the newest 3 & Out pic.twitter.com/S0nvPda3LN
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 18, 2022
2. Rams
Top Needs:
- Outside linebacker
- Defensive tackle
- Center
- Safety
- Tight end
- Wide receiver
- Quarterback (?)
The Rams fell from grace with an almighty thud, prompting Sean McVay to briefly reevaluate his future with the organization. For the time being, it appears McVay is coming back to lead the Rams in 2023, and with (fingers crossed) a healthy QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp and DE Aaron Donald, and some upgrades across the roster, the Rams could be contenders again.
The salary cap situation is going to be challenging, and with just two picks in the first four rounds of the 2023 NFL draft (the Rams mortgaged their future to win Super Bowl 56), general manager Lee Snead will need to be a shark in the open market.
OLB Von Miller helped Los Angeles to Super Bowl glory, but he left them exposed at the pass rush position after signing with the Buffalo Bills during the 2022 free agency window. The Rams would go on to pay for that oversight, and if they’re smart, this will be one of the first areas they address via free agency or trade. As it is, OLB Leonard Floyd is the only foreseeable option at this spot. OLB Travin Howard and DT Mike Hoecht are restricted exclusive free-rights agents, while DE A’Shawn Robinson is an unrestricted free agent.
The Rams arguably have one of the most gifted receivers in Kupp, but they need to provide a better-supporting cast for Stafford. They lost WR Odell Beckham Jr. in 2022 and TE Tyler Higbee isn’t reliable enough. The weaponry needs an upgrade.
Considering his injury history, the offensive line will be key to keeping Stafford upright in the pocket. This is another area that will need shoring up with some top-class talent, starting with a center to hold the line together. As well, the safety position will need to be considered, with both Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp becoming unrestricted free agents.
Finally, the backup quarterback role is something the Rams will have to consider carefully after what happened this year. Without Stafford, the offense fell apart at the seams. Baker Mayfield got a chance to showcase his wares, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be back for another season to be Stafford’s understudy.
- Unrestricted Free Agents (23): RB Malcolm Brown, P Riley Dixon, G David Edwards, OT Bobby Evans, DT Greg Gaines, K Matt Gay, CB Grant Haley, CB Troy Hill, CB David Long, QB Baker Mayfield, RT Ty Nsekhe, LS Matthew Orzech, WR Brandon Powell, S Taylor Rapp, DE A’Shawn Robinson, S Nick Scott, C Matt Skura
- Restricted Free Agents (1): QB John Wolford
- Restricted/ Exclusive Free-Rights Agents (7) DT Marquise Copeland, S Jake Gervase, DT Mike Hoecht, OLB Travin Howard, CB Shaun Jolly, QB Bryce Perkins, LB Christian Rozeboom
#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said today that Jimmy Garoppolo won’t be back next season and he will leave San Francisco when he becomes a free agent this offseason: pic.twitter.com/xLIS2SSLvE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 1, 2023
3. 49ers
Top Needs:
- Offensive tackle
- Edge
- Cornerback
- Wide Receiver
Not many teams can overcome the loss of one quarterback, never mind the loss of three starters in the space of a season. But that’s exactly what the Niners managed to do for the better part of the season – until the NFC Championship game, where they simply ran out of quality starters and were left scraping the bottom of the barrel.
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season that leaves general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan contemplating their options at the quarterback position. Trey Lance, the initial starter, is coming off a broken ankle. Jimmy Garoppolo, who stepped in for Lance before breaking his foot late in the season, is a free agent next month. Brock Purdy – also known as Mr. Irrelevant – was a revelation in the second half of the season before breaking his elbow. [Dilemma, dilemma].
Between all the quarterback injuries, a look at the offensive line might be warranted. Offensive right tackle Mike McGlinchey, center Jake Brendel and lineman Daniel Brunskill are all unrestricted free agents next month and are bound to be top of Lynch’s list to re-sign or replace. The Niners can’t afford not to ensure better protection for the quarterbacks if they hope to prevent a repeat of crushing season-altering injuries at the most important position in the game.
Nick Bosa is the star of this defense and will command a pretty penny in 2023 when his contract is up for negotiation. Lynch will be mindful of that fact, though he does need to give the superstar pass-rusher some support. This is further exacerbated by the fact that his supporting cast includes three unrestricted free agents, DE Charles Omenihu, DE Samson Ebukam, and DE Jordan Wills.
The Niners have some solid pieces on the offense, from TE George Kittle to WR Deebo Samuel and Brandon Ayuk, and the late-season addition of Christian McCaffrey paid dividends. This isn’t a top priority, but it’s an area that can’t be overlooked.
- Unrestricted Free Agents (21): LB Azeez Al-Shaair, C Jake Brendel, OT Daniel Brunskill, TE Ross Dwelley, DE Samson Ebukam, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, FS Tashaun Gipson, K Robbie Gould, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Kerry Hyder, QB Josh Johnson, TE Tyler Kroft, RT Mike McGlinchey, FS Tarvarius Moore, CB Emmanuel Moseley, DE Charles Omenihu, LS Taybor Pepper, DT Hassan Ridgeway, DT Akeem Spence, CB Jason Verrett, FS Jimmie Ward, DE Jordan Willis
- Restricted Free Agents (3): OT Colton McKivitz
- Restricted/ Exclusive Free-Rights Agents (4): LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DT Kevin Givens, WR Jauan Jennings, OT Colton McKivitz
#49ers have 27 players with expiring contracts that will officially enter free agency at the start of the new NFL league year (March 15th). Teams can start negotiating for unrestricted free agents (UFA) starting on March 13th. Our RFA and ERFA should stay on the team. #FTTB pic.twitter.com/9oO0LlLsjb
— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) February 23, 2023
4. Seahawks
Top Needs:
- Quarterback
- Safety
- Guard
- Cornerback
Few gave the Seahawks a punter’s chance at the start of their 2022 campaign, but Pete Carroll’s side surprised everyone by punching above its perceived weight class to finish second in the division and make the playoffs. Although they were one-and-done, there were plenty of positives all around, especially for Geno Smith – the journeyman quarterback many had forgotten after spending several years in Russell Wilson’s shadow.
Smith, an unrestricted agent next month, did the best he could and thoroughly deserved the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award. While he couldn’t mask all the limitations that held him back in his NFL career, he’s well respected and liked in Seattle. And he’s made it known that his preference is to return. Seattle’s front office has a lot to consider here, especially as they have the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft – thanks to the Wilson trade. Do they pay Smith the kind of money he’s likely to seek in the open market, or do they reboot at quarterback altogether?
The Seahawks did many good things on the offensive side of the ball. They have a solid running back and receiving corps, though RB Rashaad Penny and WR Marquise Goodwin are unrestricted free agents next month; that is unless John Schneider works something out.
#NFLRumors: #Buccaneers could be a team to watch for Geno Smith if not franchised. #Bucs
Ties with Todd Bowles and hired the #Seahawks QB coach as OC. Also, very close with new QB coach Thad Lewis. pic.twitter.com/qpxsRV4C55
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 22, 2023
Arguably, the defense is the area of greatest concern for Seattle. It’s the one unit that repeatedly let it down at all three levels. If we look at their list of free agents, the Seahawks should prioritize the defensive line, particularly at the guard, cornerback and safety positions.
- Unrestricted Free Agents (23): S Johnathan Abram, LB Cody Barton, FB Nick Bellore, C Austin Blythe, CB Artie Burns, CB Justin Coleman, DE L.J. Collier, DE Poona Ford, C Kyle Fuller, FB Cullen Gillaspia, WR Marquise Goodwin, G Phil Haynes, RB Travis Homer, DE Darryl Johnson, QB Drew Lock, DT Isaiah Mack, SS Ryan Neal, LS Tyler Ott, RB Rashaad Penny, QB Geno Smith, CB Jalen Tabor, LS Carson Tinker
- Restricted Free Agents (2): WR Penny Hart, OLB Tanner Muse
- Restricted/ Exclusive Free-Rights Agents (2): S Josh Jones, LB Jon Rhattigan
