Biggest winners, losers from NFC West in opening days of NFL free agency

Eric Williams

NFC West Writer

Looking for the teams pushing all their chips in with big-money free agent deals? Well, the NFC West division is not that place. 

While three of the four teams within the division had enough salary cap space to make some big deals, the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers and Seahawks mainly focused on more sensible signings and retaining their own players.

The Cardinals were the most active, signing six outside free agents, including four on the defensive side of the ball. The Rams wisely invested in bolstering their offensive line to protect aging quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

And the Seahawks, with president of football operations John Schneider the prime decision-maker for the first time, were mostly quiet. The team’s splashiest move was re-signing a major piece to new head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense in interior defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers in the NFC West during the first wave of free agency. 

Winners

Matthew Stafford, Rams

L.A.’s 36-year-old signal-caller had a bounce-back year in 2023, throwing for 3,965 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Most importantly, Stafford was sacked just 30 times — one fewer than the 29 times he hit the turf in an injury-shortened 2022 season. Stafford played just nine games that year due to a bruised spinal cord.

Rams coach Sean McVay hopes to keep Stafford healthy and upright by signing former Lions left guard Jonah Jackson to a three-year, $51 million contract that includes $34 million in guaranteed money, along with retaining right guard Kevin Dotson on a similar deal.

The Jackson signing allows the Rams to kick second-year pro Steven Avila inside to center. It also allows them to keep building on an improved running game led by last year’s breakout performer in Pro Bowl back Kyren Williams.

Los Angeles also brought back playmaking cornerback Darious Williams on a three-year deal. With Tyler Higbee…

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Publish date : 2024-03-14 19:48:48

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