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

Cardinals

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that Cardinals RB Kenyan Drake could sign a bigger deal than Chargers RB Melvin Gordon in free agency this year. 

49ers

• NBC Sports’ Tom Curran says the talk of Patriots QB Tom Brady joining the 49ers is real and coming from both camps. 
• Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald writes her sources tell her Curran “might be on to something” regarding Brady to San Francisco. 
• However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says he hasn’t been able to substantiate any interest from the 49ers’ standpoint. While it’s theoretically possible, Rapoport adds San Francisco remains supportive of QB Jimmy Garoppolo. 
• NFL Media’s Michael Giardi confirms that Brady and HC Bill Belichick did have a phone conversation, though he didn’t know the tenor. He did note the market for Brady isn’t as strong as it’s being portrayed, which is why there could be leaks connecting Brady to teams like the 49ers. 
• NBC Sports Matt Maiocco says there’s a good chance 49ers S Jimmie Ward finds a multi-year deal to go elsewhere this offseason. 

Rams

• Per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, Rams GM Les Snead said “all options are on the table” regarding potentially using the franchise tag on DE Dante Fowler or LB Cory Littleton.
• Rams HC Sean McVay is optimistic about the chances of re-signing LT Andrew Whitworth: “We’re pretty confident. He still played a really high level last year. His impact isn’t exclusive to just playing the left tackle position.”
• Thiry says a new deal for Rams K Greg Zuerlein isn’t out of the question, though McVay seemed to indicate the team would do homework on other options: “He’s done so many things and he’s a great kicker and I think those established veterans are so important, especially when every time he takes the field, there’s points at stake, unless he’s kicking off. But we want to make sure we’re evaluating the guys in the draft and then we’re going to have free agency.”
• Rams DT Michael Brockers and G Austin Blythe are expected to test the open market, with Brockers likely to sign a multi-year deal elsewhere, per Thiry. 
• Extensions for Rams CB Jalen Ramsey, WR Cooper Kupp and S John Johnson will become priorities later this offseason. 

Seahawks

• Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times mentions Panthers LB Bruce Irvin as a potential low-cost addition to help bolster the Seahawks’ pass rush. Irvin made $4 million for Carolina in 2019. 
• Condotta also points out that the Seahawks aren’t as discouraged as some outside observers about the play of CB Tre Flowers in 2019 and think he can take a step forward in his third season. 
• Alabama CB Trevon Diggs met with the Seahawks at the Combine. (Bob Condotta)
• Condotta notes Diggs fits the size and length prototype Seattle tends to look for in their cornerbacks.