NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

Matt Maiocco reports that San Francisco is open to bringing back DT Earl Mitchell at a reduced price after declining the team’s 2019 option. Mitchell’s 2019 cap hit was scheduled to be $4.45 million. 

“It’s an opportunity for other guys to try to step up,” DC Robert Saleh said. “It will not be easy to try to replace him, for sure.”

Cardinals

Following the news that veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald has signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals and will return for the 2019 season, Fitzgerald posted the following message on his Instagram account:

“A fire burned inside of me my rookie year … a desire, over all else, to be great. To excel on the field. To impact the lives of others off of it. I’m grateful that the fire still burns just as bright today, and that this organization has let me chase that fire for well over a decade. Nothing excites me more than continuing to chase greatness with everyone here on and off the field. Let’s get to work! #YEAR16″

Seahawks

• ESPN’s Brady Henderson expects Seattle to begin negotiations with QB Russell Wilson on a contract extension. Wilson is currently signed through the end of the 2019 season. 
• Henderson expects Wilson’s camp to ask for well more than $30 million per season with significant guarantees that would likely make him the highest paid QB in the NFL. 
• According to Henderson, franchising Wilson after his contract is up in 2020 would cost the Seahawks $30.34 million and then another $36.41 million in 2021.