According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers free agent guard Mike Iupati has told people that he plans to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.

That will make for some interesting NFC West battles between the 49ers and Cardinals. Last week, the 49ers signed former Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett.

Iupati was drafted by the 49ers out of Idaho in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times and was a first-team All Pro in 2012.

Iupati is one of numerous 49ers free agents that are expected to sign elsewhere once the new league year and free agency begin on Tuesday at 1 PM Pacific. Running back Frank Gore is expected to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and the many do not expect wide receiver Michael Crabtree or cornerback Chris Culliver to return to the 49ers.