Where the Seahawks stand in NFC West after early free agency period

The Seattle Seahawks have made a few more notable moves in early free agency than they almost ever have since general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll were put in charge of running on-field activities in 2010. Whether the team is actually better in 2023 than 2022 remains to be seen, of course, but Seattle should be better. But how do they stack up against what the other NFC West have done this offseason?

Seattle finished an unexpected second in the division in 2022. Many national pundits picked Seattle to finish last in the NFC West last season and to win only 4 or 5 games. The Rams and 49ers were supposed to be better and the Cardinals a little less so, but all three were thought to be seasons better than the Seahawks. Not so.

As we enter the 2023 offseason and look forward, the 49ers should still be thought to be at the top of the division with Seattle next. Arizona is a bit of a mess and Los Angeles seems to be rebuilding. But as learned from last offseason, what we think in March may not be what we know in December. So here’s an idea of who is winning this offseason in the NFC West.

How the Seahawks’ offseason stacks up against the rest of the NFC West

Worst offseason in the NFC West: Los Angeles Rams

I don’t think anyone expected the Rams to just start tearing things down this soon after winning a Super Bowl in the 2021 season, but it does appear that is what they are doing. Not only did LA release Bobby Wagner, a second-team All-Pro in 2022, but the Rams release Leonard Floyd and traded Jalen Ramsey. That is a bunch of talent to lose on defense.

Don’t be completely fooled, however. Los Angeles still has enough talent to beat teams, especially offensively. The Rams, however, have only signed one unrestricted free agent this offseason and it was one of their own, offensive lineman Coleman Shelton, and don’t look like they are going to sign any high-end free agents from other teams.