Grading the offseason for the Rams and their NFC West rivals as real football returns

The Los Angeles Rams may be clashing with the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, but they will face all three division rivals twice this season. And so, as the regular season gets underway, let's peel back some offseason hype and criticism and see exactly what those other teams have been up to.

Offseason roster moves are not the alpha and omega of setting a team's fortunes for a new year. Coaching changes, new opponents, and even the sequencing of games on the schedule can play a huge part in any squad's success.

Of course, general managers would all be quite successful if they knew how their decisions would play out. Some teams want to win it all now. Some teams are happy to defer success to the future and focus on strengthening football fundamentals. Some are caught in the limbo of keeping one eye down the road while trying to compete in the present.

So how have NFC West teams done this offseason? Let's explore.

Grading Rams' rivals for their offseason roster management

Arizona Cardinals: D

The Cardinals are a team that needed to push the quest for success into the future. The basic formula for NFL success on a two-year timeline starts with building a strong offensive and defensive line, then sprinkling in playmakers and defensive backs.

That's exactly the opposite of what the Cardinals did.

The Cardinals used the third pick of the draft to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. Before releasing Kyler Murray in March, they drafted quarterback Carson Beck at No. 65, then defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor at 104 and OT Jayden Williams at 217. They may all pan out, but Arizona has seemingly inverted its priorities, which won't help efforts to restock the roster.

It doesn't help that young receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has yet to live up to his draft-profile hype. If the goal was to tank in 2026 to position themselves to draft a franchise quarterback in 2027, they nailed it. But the Cardinals won't scare anyone this year.

San Francisco 49ers: C-

The 49ers are trying a different approach. They're relying on a bevy of veterans who underperformed or were injured last season, in hopes of benefiting from their respective rebounds. The organization is overly attached to previous players, bringing back linebacker Dre Greenlaw and wide receiver Deebo Samuel for another stint in San Francisco.

Quarterback Brock Purdy is resilient. The offense can make ham-and-eggers look like Pro Bowlers on any given Sunday. But the roster really didn't make acquire much young talent for their next chapter. And the current core is getting older and more susceptible to injuries.

If the 49ers stay healthy, they can win some games. But good luck keeping everyone off the injury report.

Seattle Seahawks: B-

Despite losing talented veterans, the Seahawks are not as depleted as many defending Super Bowl champions in the recent past. They managed to extend wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Now, all that remains is staying healthy, winning games, and repeating as the best in the NFC West.

Some free agency losses may have bigger impacts than many realize. Losing Tariq Woolen removes a big, physical, and versatile defensive back. Losing running back Kenneth Walker takes away their dependable running game. Not everyone believes that quarterback Sam Darnold can win without a strong running game.

Los Angles Rams: A

The Rams retained almost every key contributor from last season, then added edge rusher Myles Garrett, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, and cornerbacks Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie. Plus veteran long snapper Joe Cardona and linebacker Grant Stuard to bolster special teams.

While chemistry could be a concern among so many moving parts, the top-scoring offense from 2025 returns intact and may be even more potent this season. Veteran wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Terrance Ferguson starred throughout training camp.

Investing as significantly as the Rams did this offseason is a risky endeavor. Like all star-powered teams, they are vulnerable to injuries to key contributors. But compared to the other NFC West teams, the Rams' roster moves seem to align with their goal of winning now as well as fitting the team culture.

As always, thanks for reading.

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