NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

49ers TE George Kittle said on the Jim Rome Show that QB Jimmy Garoppolo dared him to tweet to Steelers WR Antonio Brown regarding his possible trade candidacy this offseason. 

“You know what, Jimmy G. dared me that I wouldn’t do it,” Kittle said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “And so I said ‘OK, I will do it.’ And that’s all it was. AB’s a fantastic player. Anything that happens with players in the offseason that’s on coach (Kyle) Shanahan and Mr. (John) Lynch. Whatever decisions they make, I’m standing behind them.”

Cardinals

Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald said he is “excited” about new HC Kliff Kingsbury since he is known as a passing oriented play caller.

“He’s done a great job everywhere he’s gone. I mean, they throw the ball a lot and as a receiver that’s exciting,” said Fitzgerald, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.

• Fitzgerald added that an “offensive-minded head coach” should help the Cardinals with QB Josh Rosen and WR Christian Kirk entering their second seasons: “Last year we didn’t do great offensively so having an offensive mind and somebody who’s innovative and having Josh (Rosen) have another year under his belt and getting Christian Kirk back healthy, I mean all of these things are going to be positives for us offensively,” via (Josh Weinfuss)
• Regarding his possible retirement, Fitzgerald said he decided to return for his 16th year in the NFL “two weeks after the season,” since he “just still had a desire to play the game.” (Josh Weinfuss)

Seahawks

• Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times believes it would be difficult for the Seahawks to get much in return for S Earl Thomas if they were to franchise him and then look to trade him to another team. 
• The 2019 franchise tag for safeties is expected to be around $12 million fully guaranteed and Condotta believes Seattle is more likely to want to have it available for DE Frank Clark if they’re unable to sign him long term. 
• Condotta expects LB K.J. Wright to test the open market and adds that there’s no guarantee Barkevious Mingo will be back with the team, given that the Seahawks could pick up $3.3 million of cap space by releasing him. 
• Regarding the draft, Condotta believes it’s more likely the Seahawks will once again look trade down from No. 26 overall.