The opening week of the league new year has certainly turned up a number of key signings by teams as they look to add talent for the 2025 NFL season. The San Francisco 49ers have definetly undergone a bit of a remodel recently as they have sent wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders and let a number of other players walk in free agency.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward signed with the Indianapolis Colts, and safety Talanoa Hufanga was inked by the Denver Broncos. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk was released on Monday, making him available for a new team.
General manager John Lynch is aggressively reshaping the roster and perhaps the culture in the Bay Area.
The Niners are not the only team that has been active this month within the NFC West.
Who is the biggest threat to the 49ers in the NFC West now?
The Seattle Seahawks decided to move on from quarterback Geno Smith, in addition to wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DJ Metcalf. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, retooled their roster by bringing back quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Jimmy Garopplo, then retaining wide receiver Tutu Atwell and then signing star wideout Davante Adams.
While the Rams won the NFC West last year and hoisted a Super Bowl trophy as recently as 2021, another team has been rather active in free agency.
The Arizona Cardinals have made a serious of splashes to show they are ready to contend for a playoff spot behind their quarterback, Kyler Murray.
The Cardinals beefed up their offensive line with tackle Kelvin Beachum and guard Evan Brown. They also signed a pair of edge rushers in Josh Sweat and Baron Browning.
Sweat is fresh off a Super Bowl win as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Arizona's linebacker depth improved, too, when it agreed to terms with both Akeem David-Gaither and Aaron Brewer.
In 2024, the Cardinals were the only other team in the NFC West besides San Francisco in the top 12 for total offensive yards. Their rushing offense was a big part of that as they were the seventh best in the NFL last year with 144 yards per game.
All six of the teams ahead of Arizona made the playoffs, while five of them were in the NFC alone. The Cardinals offense was the only one in the NFC to average more than 23 points a game, although the 49ers were not too far off that mark.
Murray finally played in every game this season since 2020. He threw for 3,851 yards (120 shy of his career-best), and connected on 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
Once the 2025 NFL season starts, everyone is tied for first place (or last) with a record of 0-0. As hungry as the 49ers' front office appears to be to return to the postseason and another Super Bowl run, the Cardinals are right there with them.