The challenging NFC West just got more demanding for the Arizona Cardinals.
Quarterback Sam Darnold reportedly will sign a 3-year, $100.5 million contract with Seattle, days after the Seahawks traded away starter Geno Smith.
Darnold joining Seattle means the Cardinals’ division is filled with quality starting quarterbacks with the Rams’ Matthew Stafford and the 49ers’ Brock Purdy joining Arizona’s Kyler Murray.
Another good quarterback in the division puts more pressure on Arizona to improve its mediocre defense. The Cardinals made a big step Monday by agreeing to terms with Philadelphia edge Josh Sweat.
Cardinals sign Josh Sweat to keep up with demanding NFC West
The Cardinals are coming off an 8-9 season, a four-game improvement over 2023, but still out of the playoffs. The division champion Rams (10-7) were the only NFC West team to make the playoffs in 2024. Seattle was 10-7, and injury-depleted San Francisco was 6-11.
Monday was the first day when NFL teams could negotiate with free agents. Players can be signed at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Darnold had a career season in 2024 with Minnesota, helping the Vikings to a 14-3 record and a wild card playoff spot. Through his first six seasons, Darnold played on three different teams without much success. He earned this huge payday with his outstanding 2024 season.
Darnold started all 17 games for the Vikings. He completed 361-of-545 passes for 4,319 yards. He had a career-high 35 touchdown passes and threw 12 interceptions. Darnold’s previous best season was 2019 when he had 19 touchdowns for the New York Jets.
Minnesota has one of the best wide receivers in the league in Justin Jefferson (103 catches). Darnold also had excellent targets in wide receiver Jordan Addison (63 catches) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (41 catches).
Darnold won’t have that kind of receiving talent next season in Seattle. DK Metcalf was just traded to Pittsburgh. The Seahawks have Jaxon Smith-Njigba (100 catches), Tyler Lockett (49 catches) and Noah Fant (48 catches). It’s a solid group but not as good at the Vikings’ receivers.
Another important addition to the NFC West was the Rams landing wide receiver Davante Adams, who had 67 catches and seven touchdowns in 2024 for the Jets. Adams will likely be an upgrade over Cooper Kupp.
The Rams gave the Super Bowl champion Eagles their sternest test in the NFC playoffs, losing 28-22 in the divisional round. Los Angeles turned over the ball on downs only 22 yards away from winning the game with less than a minute to play.
NFC West teams are ambitiously loading up their rosters at this early stage of free agency. Cardinals fans are waiting to see what other moves their team has in mind. Signing Sweat will be a good start. But there is more work to be done.