Rounding out our offseason needs series, we turn to the NFC West. It is one of the more unbalanced divisions in the league, with three legitimate Super Bowl contenders and Arizona trying to catch up.
Seattle’s focus will be on retaining key free agents, while the Rams and 49ers need to address aging spots on their rosters and inject some youth. On the other side, the Cardinals have a long list of needs.
Here is where each NFC West team should focus heading into the 2026 offseason.
Seattle Seahawks
Running Back: Kenneth Walker should be a top priority for the Seahawks after a huge postseason run capped by a Super Bowl MVP. Zach Charbonnet may still be the long-term answer given the typical shelf life of running backs, but Walker clearly has multiple high-end years left and is a key piece if Seattle wants to repeat.
Wide Receiver: Rashid Shaheed proved to be one of the most valuable trades of the 2025 season, making a major impact as both a receiver and returner. Cooper Kupp still offers value in the short and intermediate game, but Seattle lacks a true deep threat to stretch the field and create space for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Adding that element should be a priority.
Cornerback: Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both set to hit free agency, and there is a real chance the Seahawks move on from Woolen. A series of mental mistakes has raised questions about his long-term fit. If Seattle does not bring him back, it will need to add depth and stability to the cornerback room.
LA Rams
Cornerback: Easily the biggest immediate need for the Rams. The cornerback room lacks top-end talent and is starting to age. Los Angeles generated solid pressure from Jared Verse and company, but quick release passing neutralized that rush in 2025 and exposed the secondary.
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford is back for 2026, but this is widely expected to be his final season. The Rams need to get ahead of the transition now if they want to avoid a drop-off in 2027. With two first-round picks, they are in position to target a future starter like Alabama’s Ty Simpson and let him develop for a year behind a veteran.
Safety: Kam Curl is the top free agent priority for the Rams this offseason. The concern is that his market value could exceed what Los Angeles is willing to spend. If that happens, they will need to find a reliable replacement at box safety to maintain stability on the back end.
San Francisco 49ers
Wide Receiver: Brandon Aiyuk is all but gone at this point, and Jauan Jennings is a free agent who could get overpaid by a desperate team. That makes wideout a strong early draft target. Pairing a rookie with Ricky Pearsall would give Brock Purdy a long-term, high-end duo on the outside.
Left Tackle: There are reports the 49ers and Trent Williams are at an impasse on a contract restructure. If San Francisco can’t reduce the cap hit, Williams could become a cap casualty. If that happens, they will have to replace a perennial All-Pro at one of the most important positions on the field.
Defensive End: Nick Bosa is getting older and has dealt with injuries, and Bryce Huff hasn’t produced enough to be viewed as a long-term answer. The 49ers defense is still one of the league’s best, but addressing the edge now would help them stay there.
Arizona Cardinals
Right Tackle: Both Arizona’s starting and backup right tackle are free agents, so this is an obvious need. There isn’t much expectation either returns as a starter, and with other priorities in the draft, the most likely path is signing a mid-level veteran to shore up the spot.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray appears to be on the way out, with the only question being where he lands. Jacoby Brissett is a capable short-term option, but his limited mobility makes him less than ideal as a long-term starter. Arizona could reach for Ty Simpson, or take a swing on a falling prospect like Garrett Nussmeier or Cade Klubnik.
Guard: The interior offensive line has been a mix of underwhelming play and injuries. Arizona would be wise to address it now and solidify the unit. The middle rounds of the draft make sense, but free agency is also a viable route.
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