Welcome to the NFL’s Shanahan Division, formerly known as the NFC West.
Every coach in the division has close ties with 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and runs an offensive system rooted in similar concepts, although the Rams’ Sean McVay, Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury and rookie Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur will put their own spin on things.
Through the first wave of free agency, a look at how the 49ers’ competitors within the division have gone about building their rosters:
#### Seattle Seahawks
**2025 season:** 17-3, Super Bowl champion, NFC West champion
**Coach:** Mike Macdonald, third year
**Offensive coordinator:** Brian Fleury
**Quarterback:** Sam Darnold
**Free agent losses:** RB Kenneth Walker III (Kansas City), DE Boye Mafe (Cincinnati), S Coby Bryant (Bears), Riq Woolen (Philadelphia)
**Free agents agreed to terms:** None
**Free agents retained:** WR Rashid Shaheed, CB Josh Jobe
**Still on the market:** WR Dareke Young, OL Josh Jones, WR Jake Bobo, LB Chaz Surratt
**The Shanahan connection:** Darnold was schooled in the 49ers’ system in 2023; Fleury was the 49ers’ tight ends coach from 2022-25; previous coordinator Klint Kubiak was the 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023 and is the brother of current 49ers’ offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak; offensive line coach John Benton was the 49ers’ offensive line coach from 2017-20. With Seattle head man Mike Macdonald the defensive playcaller, Fleury will be given a lot of latitude in replacing Klint Kubiak.
Former tight ends coach Brian Fleury of the 49ers is now offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks.
#### Los Angeles Rams
**2025 season:** 14-6, second in NFC West, lost to Seattle in NFC Championship Game
**Coach:** Sean McVay, 10th year
**Offensive coordinator:** Nate Scheelhaase
**Quarterback:** Matthew Stafford
**Free agent losses:** None
**Free agents agreed to terms:** CB Jaylen Watson (Kansas City)
**Free agents retained:** S Kam Curl, TE Tyler Higbee, T David Quessenberry
**Still on the market:** WR Tutu Atwell, CB Cobie Durant, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, T D.J. Humphries, CB Roger McCreary, LS Jake McQuaide, TE Nick Vannett, LB Troy Reeder, RB Ronnie Rivers, CB Derion Kendrick
**The Shanahan connection:** McVay worked with Shanahan in Tampa Bay under Jon Gruden when both were starting out as coaches. Then they worked under Shanahan’s father Mike in Washington. When Kyle Shanahan moved on to become offensive coordinator in Atlanta, McVay remained in Washington. McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Josh McDaniels were all candidates with the 49ers. McVay accepted the job with the Rams, Shanahan the 49ers and they’ve been rivals ever since with similar offensive philosophies.
#### Arizona Cardinals
**2025 season:** 3-14, fourth in NFC West
**Coach:** Mike LaFleur, first year
**Offensive coordinator:** Nathaniel Hackett
**Quarterback:** TBA. With Kyler Murray scheduled for release, speculation on potential starters include free agents Kirk Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo and 49ers backup Mac Jones via trade.
**Free agent losses:** S Jalen Thompson (Dallas)
**Free agents agreed to terms:** WR Kendrick Bourne (49ers), G Isaac Seumalo (Pittsburgh), RB Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta), DL Roy Lopez (Detroit), QB Gardner Minshew (Kansas City)
**Free agents retained:** DL L.J. Collier
**Still on the market:** T Jonah Williams, DL Dalvin Tomlinson, DE Bilal Nichols, DL Calais Campbell, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, T Kelvin Beachum, WR Greg Dortch, WR Zay Jones, G Will Hernandez, P Matt Haack, LS Aaron Brewer, TE Pharoah Brown, RB Michael Carter, WR Simi Fehoko, TE Josiah Deguara, LB J.J. Russell, CB Darren Hall, LB Channing Tindall
**The Shanahan connection:** As offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns in 2014, Shanahan hired LaFleur as an intern out of Davidson College, where he had been offensive coordinator. When Shanahan took over the offense with the Atlanta Falcons, LaFleur came with him as an offensive assistant. Then, from 2017 through 2020, LaFleur coached quarterbacks and wide receivers under Shanahan with the 49ers. LaFleur was the offensive coordinator under Robert Saleh for two years with the Jets, then held the same position with the Los Angeles Rams under McVay from 2023-25. LaFleur’s brother Matt LaFleur is coach of the Green Bay Packers, who was also on the offensive staff in Atlanta under Shanahan from 2015-16.