Our 2024 NFL division preview concludes in the NFC West, where the 49ers look to take care of unfinished business. Indeed, after coming so close to winning Super Bowl LVIII, San Francisco has greater goals than simply winning a third consecutive division crown, though the rest of the West could be gearing up to knock them off their perch. Will the Rams build off last season’s surprising run on the strength of a wealth of young playmakers? Are the Cardinals primed to make a leap after a strong draft? Will new leadership in Seattle steer the Seahawks back to the postseason? Expect the West to be more competitive than it has been over the last few seasons, folks…
Arizona Cardinals
Key Arrivals: Zay Jones (WR), Desmond Ridder (QB), Jonah Williams (OT), Myles Murphy (DE), Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB), Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)
Key Departures: Marquise Brown (WR), Rondale Moore (WR), D.J. Humphries (OT), Antonio Hamilton (CB), Marco Wilson (CB),
Season Outlook: Last season was expected to be a “zero year” for the Cardinals, who hit the reset button after a disappointing, injury-ravaged campaign. (New General Manager) knew that he was going to have to start over with a dearth of pieces, particularly given the fact that (2-time Pro-Bowl Quarterback) Kyler Murray was expected to miss roughly half of the season following a torn ACL suffered in mid-December of 2022. So, it’s with that said that Arizona hired Jonathan Gannon, fresh off coordinating the ferocious defense of the Eagles, who had just claimed the NFC Title. Gannon and his coaching staff treated his year in the desert as an extended evaluation period, though did manage to find some semblance of a rhythm once Murray returned to the gridiron, winning 3 of their final 8 outings to finish with another 4-13 record. However, this year is all about building upon the foundation laid last Fall, as Gannon & Co spent much of the offseason adding pieces to rebuild the supporting cast around a healthy Murray, along with defenders that fit his system. The most notable addition is that of Marvin Harrison Jr, the fourth overall pick in last Spring’s NFL Draft and a player though by many as the most coveted non-QB in the class. Son of the legendary Hall of Famer, the 6-3, 203-pound Harrison has the size, speed, and route-running to make an impact from day one, providing his Quarterback with a weapon that they were sorely lacking in 2023. Dubbed Maserati Marv, the former Buckeye was the most lethal pass-catcher in college football for 2 seasons, logging 144 catches, 2,474 yards, and 28 touchdowns at Ohio State. The redbirds didn’t have a single Receiver haul in more than 51 passes or top 574 yards, as (emerging Tight End) Trey McBride became the fulcrum of the passing game with career-highs in receptions (81), targets (106), yards (825), and touchdowns (3). Needless to say, with Harrison now residing in the desert, this attack may finally live up to their namesake and take flight.
Los Angeles Rams
Key Arrivals: Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Jonah Jackson (OG), Darious Williams (CB), Tre’Davious White (CB), Jared Verse (DE)
Key Departures: Aaron Donald (DT), Coleman Shelton (C), Jordan Fuller (S), Ahkello Witherspoon (CB), Raheem Morris (DC)
Season Outlook: Crashing and burning after their Super Bowl LVI, the Rams were a bit of a question mark last Fall, with uncertainty on both sides of the football. However, Los Angeles was one of the pleasant surprises of 2023, bouncing back with a 10-7 finish, which was good enough to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth time during the Sean McVay era. Granted, the met their end at the hands of the Niners (who beat them in all 3 meetings), but positive vibes were back in SoCal, as the Rams look to be dark horse contender in the NFC. After injuries relegated him to just 9 games in 2022, (veteran Quarterback) Matthew Stafford responded with a solid campaign, throwing for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while (All-Pro Wideout) Cooper Kupp overcame a hamstring injury that robbed him 5 games, finishing with 59 catches 737 yards, and 5 scores. Of course, the emergence of a wealth of young talent proved to be the ultimate factor for a team that was forced to turn to their youth after wheeling and dealing for so many years. (5th Round Receiver) Puka Nacua shattered rookie pass-catching records with 105 catches, 1,486 yards, and 6 touchdowns, while another 5th-rounder, (Sophomore Tailback) was the league’s most productive rusher through the back half of the season, churning out 1,144 yards and 12 scores. With that being said, there some questions they will have to answer if they are to truly contend this Fall. how will the Defense replace the presence of (perennial All-Pro Defensive Tackle) Aaron Donald, who decided to retire after his tenth season with the franchise. The 3-time Defensive Player of the Year hasn’t been the dominant force that he was for a few years now, though he nonetheless posted solid numbers last season, with 8 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, and 31 pressures. Furthermore, (Defensive Coordinator) Raheem Morris left for Atlanta, leaving the unit in the hands of Chris Shula (grandson of the legendary Don), who was promoted after spending 7 years coaching Linebackers and various other positions.
San Francisco 49ers
Key Arrivals: Maliek Collins (DT), De’Vondre Campbell (LB), Rock Ya-Sin (CB), Joshua Dobbs (QB), Ricky Pearsall (WR)
Key Departures: Aaron Banks (OG), Tashuan Gipson (S), Sam Darnold (QB), Chase Young (Edge), Randy Gregory (Edge), Steve Wilks (C)
Season Outlook: Never the bride, always the bridesmaid. That has to be how the 49ers are feeling after once again coming up oh, so close in Super Bowl LVIII, a 25-22 overtime thriller against the Chiefs. Since 2019, San Francisco has reached 4 NFC Championship Games and a pair of Super Bowls, though has been met with defeat time and time again in their pursuit to bring the franchise its sixth Lombardi Trophy, and first since 1994. While they may not boast the depth that they’ve had in years past, this top-end talent on this roster remains elite, with (Head Coach) Kyle Shanahan standing amongst his peers as an offensive playcaller. However, there are some changes in Santa Clara that need to be addressed, the first of which is transition to yet another Defensive Coordinator, this time being Nick Sorensen. Shanahan’s staff has been a hotbed for future head coaches, so shifting to a new defensive playcaller is nothing new for the Niners, though this change comes after the incumbent Steve Wilks mutually parted ways with the club. There were times in which the venerable tactician seemed to be a poor fit for the talent at his disposal, which was particularly evident in the postseason. Unlike his predecessor, Sorensen is an inhouse graduate, serving as the Defensive Passing Game Specialist last Fall. The bigger story has been the drama playing out in Training Camp with (young Receiver) Brandon Aiyuk, who enters the final year of his rookie deal and wants to be PAID fter posting a career-high 1,342 receiving yards. Negotiations have contentious between the club and the 26-year-old, who has since requested a trade to greener pastures. There were reports that there was a deal in place with the Browns, though it ultimately collapsed before rumors of interest from other teams materialized, the most recent being the Steelers. There is a sense that the 49ers would prefer to keep Aiyuk in town for one more year at a reasonable price, as they have already handed out lucrative deals to the likes Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Nick Bosa in recent years. With that being said, the player’s will is the player’s will, and it may be considered a surprise if he he’s still with the team come the season opener.
Seattle Seahawks
Key Arrivals: Mike Macdonald (HC), Sam Howell (QB), Connor Williams (OT), Laken Tomlinson (OG), Jerome Baker (LB), Rayshawn Jenkins (S)
Key Departures: Pete Carroll (HC), Drew Lock (QB), Damien Lewis (OG), Evan Brown (C), Jordyn Brooks (LB), Quandre Diggs (S), Jamal Adams (S)
Season Outlook: A pleasant surprise in 2022, making the playoffs after parting ways with Russell Wilson, the Seahawks were equally disappointing last Fall, narrowly missing the postseason with a 9-8 mark. Despite a 6-3 start to the campaign, Seattle succumbed to a midseason swoon in which they lost 4 consecutive games, taking from the top of the NFC West to on the outside looking in at the playoffs. As a result, the Allen Family opted to clean house, dismissing (longtime Head Coach) Pete Carroll who had ruled over the organization since his arrival in 2010, leading the birds to a dozen playoff appearances, 5 division titles, a pair of NFC Championships, and a Lombardi Trophy in 2013. Interestingly, (longtime General Manager) John Schneider remained in his post, leading the search for Carroll’s successor, which ultimately led to Mike Macdonald, who has experienced a meteoric rise up the coaching ranks in a short time. After 7 years serving in a variety of roles with the Ravens, Macdonald dropped back down to the collegiate ranks to coordinate Michigan’s defense, only to return to Baltimore a year later in that same capacity. The tactician cultivated that unit into a fearsome group that allowed the fewest points in the NFL (16.5) and forced the most turnovers (31). Now, he’ll travel to the opposite corner of the country to rebuild the Seahawks into a contender, though it is likely to take plenty of time to do so. (Veteran Quarterback) struggled behind a porous Offensive Line last Fall, while a variety of injuries have continued to dog him throughout the offseason. Seattle acquired (young QB) Sam Howell to provide competition, while sifting through the market to find players better suited to the offensive and defensive systems.