NFC West Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doesn’t think the Cardinals will consider using the franchise tag on RB Kenyan Drake, though Arizona does want to keep him. 
• Breer also anticipates the Cardinals using both free agency and the draft to address the offensive line. 

49ers

• Per NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, 49ers TE George Kittle said he won’t need any offseason surgery to be healthy for 2020 despite playing through a variety of maladies in 2019. 
• Kittle referred all questions about a potential contract extension this offseason to his agent. (Nick Wagoner)
• 49ers DE Arik Armstead would not mind if the team used the franchise tag on him this offseason: “I would love being here. Trying to go back to the Super Bowl, so however that is seen or has to get done, it’s not really my decision what they want to do with me.” (Wagoner)
• Widely speculated as a cap cut, 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon says he hasn’t talked with the team yet but is willing to take a pay cut to stay: “I’m willing to do whatever… The organization knows I want to be a part of this team, so when that time comes there will be a talk between both parties.” (Wagoner)
• 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders said he hasn’t yet switched gears from the Super Bowl to his upcoming free agency: “At the end of the day, I enjoyed this season. I love the Niners organization, so we’re going to see what’s to happen.” (Wagoner)
• Entering the final year of his deal in 2020, 49ers DE DeForest Buckner said he hasn’t given much thought to a potential contract extension this offseason. (Wagoner)
• 49ers DT Earl Mitchell said he will probably retire for good this offseason after returning for San Francisco’s playoff run. (Wagoner)
• 49ers WR Trent Taylor hopes to be cleared to ramp up his rehab and be 100 percent by training camp. Taylor had five surgeries to deal with a broken right foot and complications, missing the 2019 season. He says it’s up to the doctors if he’ll be ready for OTA’s. (Cam Inman)
• 49ers S Jimmie Ward said he would like to stay in San Francisco, but if he leaves in free agency he’ll only go to a team that sees him as a safety, not a corner. (Wagoner)
• Sports Illustrated’s Abert Breer writes that he “wouldn’t discount” 49ers DC Robert Saleh from Michigan State’s head coaching job since he was an assistant there for two years and obtained his Master’s degree from the school.  

Seahawks

• The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta says that with the injuries to Seahawks RBs Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny, plus Carson’s contract status after 2020, it makes sense for Seattle to target a mid-tier free agent running back this offseason. 
• Condotta mentions Texans RB Carlos Hyde as a potential complement to Carson, or Jets RB Ty Montgomery as a possible third-down back. 
• Condotta adds the Seahawks likely won’t address Carson’s contract situation before the 2020 season given his fumbling and injury history. 
• Seahawks QB Russell Wilson‘s $18 million 2020 base salary becomes fully guaranteed on Friday. (Brady Henderson)
• Seahawks K Jason Myers also has $1.5 million of his $2.6 million 2020 base salary vest into a full guarantee Friday.