In recent memory, the NFC West has been dominated by the Seattle Seahawks. Over the past decade, Seattle has won the division five times and they’ll be the favorites to win the division for the third straight season.

With that being said, here’s six important things you should keep in mind concerning this division moving forward:

Immense pressure on Russell Wilson – After months of negotiating, the Seahawks and Russell Wilson were finally able to agree on a deal. Wilson’s new contract will make him the second highest paid quarterback in the league, only behind Aaron Rodgers.

Blessed to be w/ this organization for 4 more years! Can't wait to get on field w/ the fellas! @Seahawks #ChampionshipMindset #GoHawks

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) July 31, 2015

Based on how vital quarterbacks are in today’s league, Seattle was essentially forced to lock up their Super Bowl winning quarterback, but at the same time the franchise may have mortgaged their future.

https://twitter.com/Bwagz54/status/627131532503691265

However, Seattle did get a four-year, $43 million extension done with Bobby Wagner, which makes him the highest paid linebacker in the game.

On the flip side, Seattle still has several key players waiting for their pay day, with Kam Chancellor being the highest profile guy, who just happens to be holding out at the moment.

Bruce Irving and Russell Okung will also be free agents after this upcoming season.

So, yeah, keeping Wilson is great, but for the sake of Seattle’s front office, we can only hope it was worth potentially seeing their roster deplete.

Carson Palmer’s arm stronger than ever? – What the Arizona Cardinals were able to pull off last year deserves a lot more recognition. How many teams could miss their starting quarterback for over half a season and still manage to make the playoffs with a 11-5 record?

The answer to that is very few, if any. Nonetheless, Arizona was able to pull off the feat and with veteran Carson Palmer back under center, he’s hopeful his team is ready to make a Super Bowl run.

“I think about that all the time. Absolutely,” Palmer says. “You only get so many shots. I’m hoping this is lucky No. 13. I believe it is. It is another thing, though, to go out and prove it.”

Most know about Palmer’s season coming to an end due to his torn ACL, but the veteran also experienced a shoulder injury and now his arm is apparently feeling a lot better these days.

“My arm has gotten stronger just from all those workouts I’ve been doing. It’s definitely stronger than it was last season,” Palmer stated.

Larry Fitzgerald can vouch for Palmer.

“He’ll overthrow John Brown a couple of times, overthrow [rookie] J.J. Nelson. When you overthrow those guys, you know your arm is strong,” the perennial Pro Bowl receiver said.

It’ll be interesting to see how Palmer’s new and improved arm translates to Sunday’s.

Jim Tomsula wants 49ers to play fast – There isn’t one team in the NFL who’s experienced more turnover this off-season than the San Francisco 49ers.

Out goes Jim Harbaugh and in comes new head coach Jim Tomsula. 

“I’m not Jim Harbaugh, and Jim Harbaugh is not Jim Tomsula. I’m not trying to be that guy,” Tomsula said. “That’s absolutely no disrespect to him. I’m very comfortable with who I am, and I’m convicted in what I believe. And I’m excited about it.”

Tomsula has been the Niners defensive line coach for the past eight years, while being placed as an interim head coach in 2010.

A season ago, San Francisco ranked 20th in total offense, which is part of the reason Tomsula wants this unit to play at a faster pace. 

“All I was hearing from him was ‘Tempo! Get on the ball! Let’s go!,” wide receiver Quinton Patton said.

Rookie running back Mike Davis concurs.

“Man, everything is fast, fast, fast.”

With limited options, a faster pace could do wonders for Colin Kaepernick and company.

Rams are loaded on defensive front – Other than maybe the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, no defensive line has the talent and depth like the St. Louis Rams.

First things first, the Rams front line features five former first round picks in Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Chris Long and Nick Fairley.

Fairley was picked up by the Rams this off-season and despite the talent he possess, he even has to find snaps amongst this talented group.

“He understands he’s going to be in the rotation,” head coach Jeff Fisher said of Fairley. “In a perfect world, I’ve got a three-tackle rotation. Potentially, you might bring one of those ends down to rush inside. He understands if he wants to play he’s going to have to be productive.”

Last season, St. Louis totaled 40 sacks. With another season together and the addition of Fairley, expect for that number to increase in 2015.

Opposing quarterbacks will despise facing this unit for sure.

Nick Foles comfortable with Rams – The Sam Bradford era in St. Louis is over and now all of the focus in the midwest is on Nick Floes.

“I love it here. I love the players. I love the coaches. It’s a great place to play and I haven’t even played a game here yet and I love it,” Foles said.

Foles’ season was cut short last year in Philadelphia after breaking his collarbone. However, the 26-year-old is hopeful a change of scenery will do wonders for him moving forward.

“I feel really comfortable. A lot more comfortable than I did in OTAs and, well, that’s a daily thing,” Foles said.  “There’s so much to an NFL playbook that you’re always adding stuff, you’re always critiquing stuff. There’s better fundamentals that you can do. But I feel really comfortable. We have great coaches. You know [offensive coordinator Frank] Cignetti and [quarterbacks] Coach [Chris] Weinke do a great job of preparing us. So I’m feeling good, just have to keep going.”

If Foles is able to return to his 2013 self, then Rams fans will have plenty to cheer for.

Doug Baldwin ready to burst out – Baldwin, 26, is preparing for his 5th season and it’s put up or shut up time for the 5-foot-10 wideout.

Last year was Baldwin’s best season to date, as he caught 66 passes for 825 yards to go along with three touchdowns.

However, expect for those numbers to see an increase this upcoming season. With the addition of star tight end Jimmy Graham, things should open up on the outside for Baldwin a lot more going forward.

“Not only is he going to be able to open things up for myself, but also for Marshawn as well,” Baldwin said. “And opening more things up for Marshawn is going to be devastating to the defenses we face.”

The thought of things opening up for ‘Beast Mode’ has to be scary for opponents.

With preseason right around the corner, make sure to keep these six things in mind when watching some NFC West football.