Asking a handful of questions about the NFC West, from impactful rookies to up and coming coaches.
The NFC West was one of the most competitive divisions in football last season. The Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks both won ten games, while the Arizona Cardinals initially appeared poised to win the division before a rough December. Still, the Cardinals overachieved with an 8-win season. The only underperformer was the team that managed to finish the season on a four-game losing streak, the San Francisco 49ers.
It was 3rd & 2 with just over a minute left, and the Rams had the ball on the Philadelphia Eagles 13-yard line down six points. That would be the last threat the Eagles had before winning the Super Bowl.
Each NFC West team believes they made enough moves to challenge the Eagles and any other contender in the NFC. Was it enough? Time will tell. Until then, let’s answer a handful of questions.
Which QB has the most prove?
The prevailing thought would lead you to believe the answer is Brock Purdy. But the 49ers signal-caller has gone above and beyond expectations and gave the Niners $265 million reasons to extend him.
Sam Darnold feels like a stopgap in Seattle — I’d argue that he’s a downgrade from Geno Smith. Matthew Stafford is a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. The Rams will always have a chance as long as he’s under center.
The quarterback with the most to prove in the division is Kyler Murray. The former No. 1 overall pick with a $230 million contract started every game in 2024 for the first time since 2020.
The Cardinals have a stud tight end in Trey McBride and drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet, Murray couldn’t get on the same page as the rookie. Murray’s numbers appear to be good, although they may be slightly inflated or incomplete. Can he stay healthy for two seasons in a row? History suggests that the answer is no.
Which front office won the offseason?
The 49ers have purged many of their veterans and are relying on their rookie class and the 2024 Draft. It’s a move that should work out in the long run, but it’s a big ask in the short term.
Seattle downgraded at quarterback. Their answer to not having a pass rush was to add 33-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence, who played in only four games last season. Good luck.
Davante Adams is a nice addition to the Rams, but the Cardinals had the best offseason in the division.
Their defense received a makeover after adding prized free agent Josh Sweat. They also signed Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson to fortify the run defense. Then, in the NFL Draft, the Cardinals let the board come to them. Walter Nolan, Will Johnson, and Jordan Burch should all have a role during their first year. Arizona won’t be an easy out in 2025, and this offseason is the reason.
Which key assistant coach is most likely to be in the 2026 head coaching cycle?
Arizona’s defensive coordinator, Nick Rallis, is the next up-and-coming young play-caller. The same is true for Chris Shula of the Rams. He’s done more with less over the previous couple of seasons than anybody in the NFL. If Klint Kubiak can get another year out of Darnold where he is in the MVP race, then he’ll hear his name mentioned during the head coaching cycles next offseason. But the answer is obvious.
The 49ers are in a position to win a bunch of games, and for that to happen, the defense must regress to the mean. Robert Saleh won’t be around for long. He laid the blueprint for what the Niners wanted to do on this side of the ball many years ago.
Saleh seems like a copout of an answer, but it’s also the most logical one. The only reason Saleh would remain on the staff for another 2-3 years is because the league favors offensive coaches.
Who will be the most impactful rookie in the NFC West?
We shouldn’t downplay the impact of an offensive lineman after watching Dominick Puni. The Seahawks are hoping they get an even better season from Grey Zabel. Don’t sleep on their Day 3 wideouts Tory Horton or Ricky White. I think they’re in for a rude awakening with second-rounder Nick Emmanwori. He’s in a division where offensive coordinators put safeties in a bind.
The Rams traded away their first-round pick, but Terrance Ferguson at tight end should have an immediate impact and has a chance to do damage in Sean McVay’s offense. The only question with Ferguson is how quickly he’ll take over for Tyler Higbee. If not, his opportunities will be limited.
This category comes down to three players on two teams: Mykel Williams, Walter Nolen, and Will Johnson. Each player should have ample opportunities as a rookie. Nolen and Williams get to play alongside some of the best pass rushers in the game, while Johnson should be on the field by default.
After what we saw Jared Verse do as a rookie, you’d be inclined to pick Williams or Nolen. I’ll go with Williams since he’ll play for a defense that should have the lead more and thus have more opportunities to rack up numbers. It’ll be close, though. And I would not count out Johnson, despite slipping in the draft.
Name an unheralded player or unit that will impact the division title
You could pencil in an offensive line for every team in the division. Every fan believes it’s the weak link of their team.
I think it’s the secondary for each team or the non No. 1 wide receiver. For example, teams are going to gear up to take away McBride or George Kittle, meaning there’s pressure on the Ricky Pearsall’s and Michael Wilson’s to perform.
When a team takes away Jaxon Smith-Njigba from Darnold, will Cooper Kupp be open? Or healthy? Adams and Puka Nacua make for a solid 1-2 punch in Los Angeles, provided Nacua stays healthy.
Watching how potent each passing attack can be will determine quite a bit in this division. Pearsall and Jauan Jennings will take on bigger roles while Brandon Aiyuk rehabs from his ACL injury. My bold prediction is that whichever team has the best WR2/WR3 combination will be the division champions in 2025.