The NFC West division once again looks primed to have 3 Super Bowl contenders in the Seattle Seahawks (Super Bowl Champs), the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams. The Arizona Cardinals are not quite there yet because of the horrendous defense they displayed last season, so the jury will still be out on them until something changes in the standings. But just like every other division in football, every team is optimistic at the start of camp and feels it has a reason to make some noise in 2026. Let's figure out why.
Arizona Cardinals - Are the Cardinals playing the long game at QB with Carson Beck?
It will remain to be seen whether the Arizona Cardinals are playing the long game at QB. They will start veteran Jacoby Brissett, and the team drafted Carson Beck in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. A season of tanking for a quarterback with the last name Manning in 2027? Not quite; Brissett will not necessarily be on a short leash, but Beck will play at some point. The QB position should be shored up within two years, but in the short term, it seems like new coach, new quarterback, same old, same old for the Cardinals. The young foundation will mature eventually.
Los Angeles Rams - They came up agonizingly short the last two seasons. What now?
The Super Bowl window remains open for the Los Angeles Rams as long as Matthew Stafford can still sling it at an MVP-caliber level. If Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to pair with Myles Garrett? Look out, NFL. Loaded with talent and great coaching, the Rams may be the most optimistic team heading into 2026. The foundation is there, until it isn't, and the Super Bowl is in Inglewood. Coincidence?
Arizona Cardinals - Are the Cardinals playing the long game at QB with Carson Beck?
It will remain to be seen whether the Arizona Cardinals are playing the long game at QB. They will start veteran Jacoby Brissett, and the team drafted Carson Beck in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft. A season of tanking for a quarterback with the last name Manning in 2027? Not quite; Brissett will not necessarily be on a short leash, but Beck will play at some point. The QB position should be shored up within two years, but in the short term, it seems like new coach, new quarterback, same old, same old for the Cardinals. The young foundation will mature eventually.
Los Angeles Rams - They came up agonizingly short the last two seasons. What now?
The Super Bowl window remains open for the Los Angeles Rams as long as Matthew Stafford can still sling it at an MVP-caliber level. If Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to pair with Myles Garrett? Look out, NFL. Loaded with talent and great coaching, the Rams may be the most optimistic team heading into 2026. The foundation is there, until it isn't, and the Super Bowl is in Inglewood. Coincidence?
3 months ago
