2025 NFC West Division Preview

The NFC West has been one of the most competitive divisions over the last decade. This season, a division championship wouldn’t be a shocking outcome for any of these teams. Each team has questions, but also hold the upside to wear the division crown by the end of the season. 4 well-coached teams with high-end talent all over the division, both young and veteran. Can the Rams maximize what looks like Matthew Stafford’s final hoorah? Will the 49ers bounce back after an injury-riddled 2024? Can the Cardinals continue on their upwards, pleasantly surprisingly linear trajectory? Will the Seahawks improve after a great deal of turnover on offense and as they go into their 2nd year of Mike MacDonald’s revered defensive system?

1. Los Angeles Rams

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: N/A
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: WR Davante Adams, T Alaric Jackson, NT Poona Ford, WR Tutu Atwell, C Coleman Shelton, LB Nate Landman, T D.J. Humphries, T David Quessenberry, WR Britain Covey
Notable Draft Selections: TE Terrance Ferguson, EDGE Josaiah Stewart, RB Jarquez Hunter

The Rams have done a good job retooling following the Super Bowl roster largely aging out and Aaron Donald suddenly retiring in 2024. Finding skill players like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams in late rounds and piecing a solid offensive line together through different avenues (undrafted free agency, trades, free agency, early draft picks) has created a supporting cast to give Matthew Stafford a good chance to succeed. The defensive line was also quickly rebuilt after losing one of the greatest defensive linemen of all-time. Despite all this, there was almost a split between Stafford and the Rams earlier this offseason, but ultimately both sides decided to spend Stafford’s final years (or year) to try contending for a Super Bowl. Do the Rams have enough to reach the mountaintop once again?

The Rams made big moves at the wide receiver this offseason. The team decided to part ways with former triple crown and Offensive Player of the Year award winner Cooper Kupp and pivoted to former All-Pro Davante Adams. The decline in Kupp’s game has been significant, and when you combine that with a lack of availability, there was no reason to keep him around at a high price tag. Adams, while no longer being the receiver he was even just a couple of years ago, is still arguably a top 12 player at the position. A lot has been on Puka Nacua’s plate since he’s joined the Rams since he was the only receiving weapon on the roster who was capable of consistently beating man coverage. Now, with Nacua and Adams out wide, it’s going to be difficult to contain these two no matter what the coverage thrown at them ends up being.

The biggest question mark with the Rams offense revolves around the health of QB Matthew Stafford. Stafford has dealt with many injuries over the years, both in Detroit and Los Angeles, and he is already dealing with another one this season. The decorated QB is now back at practice, but a back injury can be very volatile, especially at a position where you constantly need to torque your body, and for a 37-year old player who has shown he isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and take some hits in order to make passes. Stafford being back at practice and looking set to start in week 1 is encouraging, but this situation will be something to monitor all season long. As long as Matthew Stafford is on the field and healthy, the Rams should be considered a contender to go all the way.

The Rams defensive line is one of the best in the NFL. Jared Verse is already a top 10 EDGE after just one season and Kobie Turner is arguably a top 10 DT in the league. After those two players, the Rams also have good complementary players on the defensive line. Poona Ford was a great addition to help bolster the run defense, Braden Fiske is very useful on passing downs, Byron Young has good pass rushing chops, and rookie Josaiah Stewart should be a nice speed rusher off the edge. There are some concerns with the linebacker and cornerback groups, but the defensive line, safety group, and Chris Shula’s schematics should still make this unit a good one.

Record Prediction: 11-6

2. Arizona Cardinals

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: N/A
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: EDGE Josh Sweat, DE Calais Campbell, NT Dalvin Tomlinson, EDGE Baron Browning, G Evan Brown, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, WR Zay Jones, QB Jacoby Brissett, CB Jaylon Jones, G Royce Newman, DE L.J. Collier, WR Simi Fehoko, LB Mykal Walker, LS Aaron Brewer, LB J.J. Russell, IOL Sincere Haynesworth, T Jake Curhan
Notable Draft Selections: DT Walter Nolen, CB Will Johnson, EDGE Jordan Burch

The Cardinals have been in a huge rebuild for a few years at this point. Heading into the 2023 season, the Arizona Cardinals were widely seen as a prime candidate to earn the 1st overall pick due to only having one proven impact player on either side of the ball (S Budda Baker) after Kyler Murray’s injury and deciding to commit to a rebuild. After a few years of some solid drafting, savvy free agent signings, and player development, Arizona finally looks like they can compete for a playoff spot. The linear trajectory of the Cardinals has been surprising, and is somewhat unusual in the NFL, but it’s time for stronger results to be reflected after another well-received offseason.

Offensively, the Cardinals ended the year being a borderline top 10 offense. The running game was one of the absolute best in the NFL and was the biggest reason why the team remained competitive throughout 2024. The rushing attack and OC Drew Petzing’s utilization of TE Trey McBride are a great foundation for this offense, but there is more to be desired with Marvin Harrison Jr.’s usage. If Petzing can allow Harrison to work more in the short-intermediate areas of the field and give him a wider variety of routes to run, a breakout can absolutely take place in 2024. The ceiling of this Cardinals offense hinges on Harrison’s performance and QB Kyler Murray’s consistency along with the cleverness of Drew Petzing.

The most improved unit for the Cardinals in 2025 should be the defense. The defensive line has underwent a lot of turnover this offseason, as it was clearly the biggest weakness this team had on their way to an 8-9 season. Disruptive, high-motor 1st-round DT Walter Nolen, Super Bowl champion EDGE Josh Sweat, veteran NT Dalvin Tomlinson, and the ageless DE Calais Campbell were all added to this defensive front. These additions along with another offseason for 2024 first-round selection Darius Robinson and a full season with talented pass rushing EDGE Baron Browning should give the Cardinals much more production from their defensive line than they got in 2024. In turn, the Cardinals defense should have much more flexibility in terms of the amount of looks they can give opposing offenses with more pressure being put on quarterbacks.

The starting secondary also looks like a strength for Arizona this season. The safety duo of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson is one of the best in the league NCB Garrett Williams has emerged as one of the better slot defenders in the NFL. 2024 and 2025 2nd-round CBs Max Melton and Will Johnson will also be on the outside. Johnson is coming off of an injury-riddled season at Michigan but was seen as a top 5 talent in the 2025 NFL Draft before then and still had some big time plays despite it being a down year. Melton still has a lot of upside and a year in the NFL under his belt should make him a better player heading into the upcoming season. The Cardinals are already dealing with some injuries early on, but Jonathan Gannon’s coaching and the additions Arizona has made should give this defense a high floor.

Record Prediction: 10-7

3. San Francisco 49ers

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: DC Robert Saleh
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: S Jason Pinnock, EDGE Bryce Huff (trade), TE Luke Farrell, QB Mac Jones, P Thomas Morstead, LB Luke Gifford, LB Dallis Flowers, WR Robbie Chosen, WR Skyy Moore (trade), WR Isaiah Hodgins, S Richie Grant, LB Chazz Surratt, CB Fabian Moreau, LS Jon Weeks, S Siran Neal, DE Trevis Gipson, DT Bruce Hector, RB Jeff Wilson, G Michael Dunn, T Isaiah Prince
Notable Draft Selections: DE Mykel Williams, DT Alfred Collins, LB Nick Martin, NCB Upton Stout, DT C.J. West

2024 was a season from hell for the San Francisco 49ers. Contract holdouts, star players getting injured, off the field situations having an effect on players, regression from players on big contracts, just about anything that can go wrong. This offseason, the 49ers decided to move on from what was and move into the next iteration of 49ers football. Many veterans who helped the team during a run of 2 Super Bowl appearances and 4 NFC Championship appearances walked and a lot of young talent was added via the draft. This looks to be the new formula after Brock Purdy earned himself a lucrative extension this offseason. Can the 49ers take advantage of their light schedule and get back to the playoffs?

On offense, the 49ers are largely the same in most areas aside from the wide receiver position. Former All-Pro WR Deebo Samuel was traded after a year of noticeable regression, even dating back to the Super Bowl vs the Chiefs. WR Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL after a successful contract holdout that followed an All-Pro season. Aiyuk is expected to be back some time around week 6, but the 49ers should have more than enough weapons to get by as they await his return. As long as San Francisco’s core offensive players stay healthy and Dominick Puni and Brandon Aiyuk stay on their recovery timelines, this 49ers offense should be potent once again.

The 49ers defense is a mixed bag. On one hand, they have undeniable star talent in LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa, and a proven defensive coordinator in Robert Saleh. CB Deommodore Lenoir also broke out last year, which made the 49ers comfortable with allowing Charvarius Ward to walk. After that, it’s a lot of young players and veterans didn’t pan out elsewhere who are replacing many of the veterans who were lost in free agency. The run defense should be a lot better than last season, as rookies DE Mykel Williams and DT Alfred Collins both made a name as run stuffers in college, and Bosa and Warner also provide run support. The safety room is a concern, but with Bosa rushing the QB and Warner manning the middle of the field, the 49ers can be a good pass defense with breakouts from 2nd-year CB Renardo Green and 3rd-round rookie NCB Upton Stout.

Record Prediction: 10-7

4. Seattle Seahawks

Head Coach, Coordinator Changes: OC Klint Kubiak
Free Agency Signings, Retentions: QB Sam Darnold, LB Ernest Jones, DT Jarran Reed, WR Cooper Kupp, EDGE Demarcus Lawrence, CB Shaquill Griffin, S D’Anthony Bell, QB Drew Lock, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, T Josh Jones, WR Steven Sims, CB Shemar Jean-Charles, TE Eric Saubert
Notable Draft Selections: G Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori, TE Elijah Arroyo, QB Jalen Milroe, WR Tory Horton

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most interesting teams in the NFL. There’s clearly one side of the ball that is strong, where the head coach’s expertise lies. The other side of the ball underwent a complete overhaul and has a wide range of outcomes. Despite being a 10-win team last season, Seattle decided that they needed dramatic changes to be made. Can these changes take this team to the playoffs?

Seattle’s offense made changes at QB, OC, WR, and invested a 1st-round pick in the offensive line. OC Klint Kubiak’s system runs a lot of outside zone which is a perfect fit for players like 1st-round guard Grey Zabel, LT Charles Cross, and RB Kenneth Walker. With the running game being the foundation of the offense, there’s a lot of play action passing and motion that comes off of that. This scheme is designed to try elevating offensive lines, not putting too much on the QB’s plate, keeping the defense in a bind.

That brings us to some of the changes that were made to the personnel in the passing game. QB Sam Darnold and WR Cooper Kupp were brought in to replace Geno Smith and DK Metcalf. Kupp is a clear downgrade from Metcalf at this point in careers, and even though Kupp is a better scheme fit, it’s difficult to trust him to stay healthy. Darnold is also a downgrade from Smith, but Darnold at least proved capable last season in Minnesota. Darnold does well in play action, but is extremely sensitive to pressure and is mistake-prone since he tends to hold the ball for a long time (Darnold was in the top 3 of average time to throw last season, only behind Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson). The offensive line is the most important piece of this offense, and arguably this team, because it will likely dictate what version of Darnold will show up.

A unit that doesn’t have many questions, if any, is this Seattle defense. This defense has a realistic chance at being a top 5 unit, and maybe even better than that. Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe on the outside, Devon Witherspoon in the nickel, and the safety duo of Coby Bryant and Julian Love is an elite secondary, all while having 2nd-round safety/nickel Nick Emmanwori waiting to be plugged in somewhere. The defensive line rotation of DE Leonard Williams, DTs Byron Murphy and Jarran Reed, and EDGEs Demarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, is one that is liable to stay fresh and raise hell vs any opponent. In the middle of the defense, the Seahawks are manned by former Rams and Titans LB Ernest Jones, who uplifted Seattle’s defense after an in-season trade. Combine all of this with Mike MacDonald’s versatile scheme that utilizes disguises, simulated pressures and all different types of fronts and alignments, and this unit becomes a frightening one that has a chance to carry Seattle to the playoffs despite the competition within the division. The ball is in the offense’s court.

Record Prediction: 8-9