Looking at the NFC West there are more questions than any other division in the National Football League. The 49ers are filled with talent at every position except the quarterback while the Seahawks think they found a franchise quarterback in Geno Smith after one fantastic season. The Rams should be in rebuild mode, but if the 49ers and Seahawks flounder there’s a chance they make a run. While the Cardinals will be without their starting quarterback for most of the season leaving expectations very, very low.
San Francisco 49ers
They were THIS close. If Brock Purdy didn’t get hurt on the team’s first drive the 49ers could have been in Super Bowl LVII. Unfortunately without a viable option at quarterback, they got demolished by the Eagles and have to start over this season. Their defense led by Nick Bosa is outstanding and will likely be that way this season even after losing coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, the 49ers have one of the best rosters in the league. They managed to poach defensive tackle Javon Hargrave from their biggest competitor in the NFC the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were one of the biggest surprises last season with the resurgence of Geno Smith. Will that happen for the second year in a row? Seattle’s playoff appearance last year might be less of a fluke and more of a sign that things are headed in the right decision for the team. Smith led the league in completion percentage while setting a franchise record for single-season passing yards. Seattle showed their belief in Smith by signing him to a three-year deal.
They were not done there, having one of the best drafts in the entire league. Smith has one of the best receiving corps in the league in Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba along with running back Kenneth Walker III who rushed for over a thousand yards last season. This should help prevent any regression in Smith’s game. The Seahawks could prove to be a true threat to the 49ers for the division title if they still struggling to find their true franchise quarterback during the season.
Arizona Cardinals
No one is expecting much from the Cardinals this season with QB Kyler Murray injured and the trade request from DeAndre Hopkins. Murray is expected to miss significant time this season after suffering a torn ACL late last season. Colt McCoy is his backup and it seems unlikely he will lead a team to the playoffs in 2023. It seems more likely they will win the number one pick in the draft rather than a division title.
Los Angeles Rams
Not many players remain from the Super Bowl-winning team only Matthew Stafford, Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald. It was the first losing season since Sean McVay arrived in LA. Last year’s team only won five games and things are not looking much better after Los Angeles chose not to make any significant moves to bolster their roster. The team let Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd, and Bobby Wagner walk. It’s hard to imagine a defense with Donald leading the way being one of the worst in the league, but it’s possible. This is one of the most inexperienced defenses in the league.
Something the Rams have that they have not had in years is a first-round draft pick in 2024. The last time they had one they drafted Jared Goff in 2016 number one overall. Despite having drafted Stetson Bennett in the fourth round of this year’s draft, the Rams could be on the hunt for a new quarterback after this season.
Their schedule does them no favors early in the season. It is possible the team gets off to a winless start and Donald or Kupp are moved. The team has hopefully worked out the differences between Cam Akers and the coaching staff that caused him to miss games last season. Akers finished the seasons strong with three consecutive games of over a hundred rushing yards. If they want to be at least competitive this season they will need Akers playing well out of the backfield.
