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

Cardinals

Sunday marked the conclusion of Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald‘s 16th NFL season. The 36-year-old veteran was named to the NFL’s 100th anniversary all-time team this year and has accomplished just about everything possible in his career aside from winning a Super Bowl. The chance of that might persuade Fitzgerald to come back for a 17th season to be a part of an Arizona team on the upswing. 

“I’ve got to go through the checklist and process,” Fitzgerald said via Pro Football Talk. “But I love this organization with all my heart. I’ve given all I’ve had for 16 years. I just have to take a little time to figure it out.”

• Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said he plans to give Fitzgerald his best pitch to return: “Please come back.” (Darren Urban)
• Kingsbury added of RB David Johnson‘s future with the team: “Yeah, that’s a postseason discussion will get to once we have a chance to sit back and talk with personnel and (Cardinals GM) Steve (Keim) and all of those guys.” (Katherine Fitzgerald)
• Arizona will also discuss whether RB Kenyan Drake, set to be a free agent after being acquired via midseason trade, can be a No. 1 running back. (Urban)
• The Cardinals will retain DC Vance Joseph for 2020. (Weinfuss)
• Arizona did let go DL coach Chris Achuff and assistant ST coach Randall McCray. (Alex Marvez)
• Per Kingsbury, Cardinals LB Chandler Jones may need surgery to repair a thumb ligament. (Urban)
• Cardinals C A.Q. Shipley, set to be a free agent, would like to return in 2020: “My goal is to finish my career here.” (Weinfuss)
• Cardinals backup QB Brett Hundley would also love to return next year. (Weinfuss)
• Cardinals WR Christian Kirk said he ended up playing through his ankle injury for most of the season: “It’s always in the back of your mind. You try not to, but pain is pain.” (Urban)

49ers

• Per ESPN’s Field Yates, 49ers C Weston Richburg had his contract reworked to create cap space in 2020. 
• 49ers RB Raheem Mostert earned a $250,000 incentive by topping 750 rushing yards on the season. Mostert needed 35 more yards entering Sunday’s game. (Adam Schefter)
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan is optimistic DE Dee Ford and S Jaquiski Tartt will be healthy enough to play in two weeks. (Matt Maiocco)
• Shanahan added LB Kwon Alexander has a chance to return if San Francisco makes it to the NFC Championship Game. (Nick Wagoner)

Rams

Rams S Eric Weddle signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal in Los Angeles this offseason to try and help the team get back to the Super Bowl. The Rams fell well short of that goal and Weddle believes the team will want to move forward with younger options at safety and take the cap savings. 

“I’m not going to come back to be a backup, and that’s totally fine,” Weddle said via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. “That’s what I would expect them to do, and so, if that’s the case, then it will be it for me. . . . I think it’s a foregone conclusion. [Taylor Rapp, John Johnson], and we’ve got some good, young players. So, we’ll see. Nothing is set in stone, but I’ve had a great run. No regrets, baby.”

• The 34-year-old Weddle added he will also need knee and shoulder surgeries after the season to keep playing: “I’ve got some things that I need to get fixed if I even remotely think about playing.”
• Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio writes the Rams could be where former Redskins president Bruce Allen lands after being fired, as he hired current Rams COO Kevin Demoff to his first NFL position. 
• According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rams LT Andrew Whitworth earned a $500,000 with the Rams beating the Cardinals and finishing with a winning record. 
• Rams HC Sean McVay said the team is still waiting on MRI results for DT Michael Brockers‘ ankle injury. (Thiry)

Seahawks

• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said LT Duane Brown returning this weekend would be a “miraculous recovery.” (Michael-Shawn Dugar)
• According to Carroll, Seahawks WR Jaron Brown will be out at least a couple weeks with a knee sprain. (Curtis Crabtree)
• Carroll confirmed that LB Mychal Kendricks has a torn ACL and will need surgery.
• As for S Quandre Diggs, Carroll said he’s on track to practice Wednesday and if all goes well this week he should play Sunday. (John Boyle)