The Seattle Seahawks risked it all this past offseason. Just a couple years after trading former franchise quarterback Russell Wilson, Seattle also sent Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. They traded star receiver DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and then signed quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency.
These moves were questioned by many in NFL media circles. No one really expected them to earn a trip to Super Bowl LX. The Seahawks are there anyways.
But the difficult truth for the Los Angeles Rams and members of the NFC West is that the Seahawks likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Their maneuvers this past offseason and in recent years have built a foundation that should prepare them for sustained future success.
Let’s review each of the NFC West teams in terms of their salary cap resources available and how primed they’ll be heading into 2026:
The NFC West has deep pockets
According to Over the Cap, the division could be active spenders in free agency or make key re-signings:
#1 – Titans: $104.7M
#6 – Seahawks: $73.3M
#8 – Rams: $48.2M
#10 – 49ers: $43.0M
#12 – Cardinals: $42.2M
Currently over the salary cap: Packers, Texans, Bears, Saints, Bills, Lions, Jaguars, Dolphins, Cowboys, Vikings, Chiefs
Thoughts on each team
Seahawks:
While it didn’t seem so much at the time, Sam Darnold was an absolute bargain signing for Seattle. They made need to adjust his contract no matter the outcome of the Super Bowl.
It’s difficult to find problem areas in their roster. The defense is mostly young. They have good infrastructure along the offensive line and at skill positions. The most concerning aspect is that DeMarcus Lawrence has turned into a key edge player for this team and he is long in the tooth. Seattle doesn’t have anyone that scares you on the exterior of the defensive line, and it’s not a position they have drafted well in recent years.
There is still plenty to like.
Rams:
We know that Matthew Stafford will return for 2026. Sean McVay also seemed to commit to Davante Adams. LA could go “all in” again to maximize their window with Stafford, though the team has an optimistic outlook for the future if they don’t focus too narrowly on the short-term.
But none of this matters if the Rams cannot stick the landing from Stafford to the next franchise quarterback. Life after 2026 looks totally uncertain at this point, even if the Rams have one of the most talented nuclei in the NFL.
49ers:
It’s difficult to look at San Francisco’s recent two games against the Seahawks and not conclude that there is a deep divide between the talent level on these teams. The 49ers failed to score a touchdown both in Week 18 with the NFC’s one seed on the line and then again in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The 49ers have an aging core and they’ll need to make difficult decisions now that Brock Purdy is paid top dollar. This feels like a team on the downslide.
Cardinals:
The Cardinals must decide their path soon. Will new head coach Mike LaFleur opt to trade Kyler Murray and start fresh at quarterback? If so, this team is likely headed toward a substantial rebuild.
I could see a quicker turnaround if the Cardinals instead retain Murray. Their roster has taken steps forward in recent years even if it still isn’t on par with the rest of the division. This is an important offseason for them.
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