NFC West Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Per Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic, Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said he plans to pitch WR Larry Fitzgerald on returning to play another season next year. 
• Kingsbury added that Cardinals RB David Johnson has responded well to his change in role: “He’s been confident. He knows what he can be when he’s playing at a high level & I think everybody else does. We just have to keep him rolling, keep him in a groove. When he had a chance to make plays, he made them Sunday.” (McManaman)
• Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti identifies Cardinals S Budda Baker as a potential extension candidate for Arizona this offseason, with CB Patrick Peterson a candidate for going on the trade block depending on how extension talks for his new deal go. 

49ers

The trade for WR Emmanuel Sanders hasn’t just had an on-field impact for the 49ers — though with 28 catches for 407 yards and three touchdowns in seven games, Sanders is no doubt pulling his weight since arriving in San Francisco. But Sanders’ arrival has also had a positive impact on a young 49ers receiving corps that was struggling to find its way earlier in the season. 

“I watched Emmanuel Sanders growing up,” 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne said via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “That’s what’s crazy about it. . . . He came in and made an impact immediately so us seeing that, it just motivates every wideout in the room more because there’s always competition every single day, even after camp. Having him go that hard, seeing it at the age he’s at, is amazing. So just taking all those traits is the best thing we can do as young wideouts.”

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline mentions the 49ers were interested in Jets RB Le’Veon Bell at the trade deadline this year. However, San Francisco has had success with its committee approach to the position. 
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said DT D.J. Jones has a serious, potentially season-ending ankle injury and the team could bring DL Kentavius Street off of injured reserve in response. (Cam Inman)

Rams

Entering the final year of his contract and carrying a $10.8 million cap hit, Rams DT Michael Brockers is well aware this could be his last season with the team. Los Angeles already had to let DT Ndamukong Suh leave in free agency last year after budgeting the bulk of its cap space in extensions to RB Todd Gurley and QB Jared Goff among others. The Rams have new deals for CB Jalen Ramsey, WR Cooper Kupp and LB Cory Littleton on the horizon, which might squeeze out the 28-year-old Brockers. 

“The season’s going to be over and your future is kind of unknown,” Brockers said via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times, “so the best thing for me is just to focus on what’s happening now, stay in the present, focus on winning each week and having the same goal. That’s how I’m really getting through it. I know it’s a business. I understand teams — sometimes they love a guy but they still have to let him go. That could be the situation. Hopefully it’s not. But I’ve been in this business long enough to understand that some tough choices have to be made.”

• Rams HC Sean McVay said that TE Gerald Everett is still considered “day-to-day” and added: “His knee is making progress, but not ready to get out there and practice with us yet.” (Lindsay Thiry)
• Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti says Rams LB Clay Matthews‘ $5.75 million cap hit makes him potentially tradable if the team needs to get creative for its upcoming extensions. 

Seahawks

Since being dealt from the Lions in a midseason trade, Seahawks S Quandre Diggs has made a strong impact in Seattle. In just four games, Diggs has three interceptions, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown. Seattle is also firmly in the playoff picture. Detroit, not so much. 

“I talk to him all the time,” former teammate and Lions CB Darius Slay said via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “He’s very [bleeping] happy. He’s over there 10-2, 10-3, [fighting for] first place. . . . Why the [bleep] wouldn’t he be happy? He’s [bleeping] exciting over there. He’s over there excited. He’s living it up.”

• Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti says any extension for Seahawks DE Jadeveon Clowney would likely top $20 million a year.
• Ginnitti expects Seattle to release TE Ed Dickson this offseason for $3.4 million in cap savings.  
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said RB Rashaad Penny is waiting for his knee to “quiets down” before undergoing surgery on his torn ACL. Carroll added doctors would see what other issues there were once they went in for surgery. (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll added he thinks Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett is “really back” this week from his shin injury. Lockett hasn’t missed time from the injury but his production has suffered since getting hurt. (Bob Condotta)