Even after a 6-11 season, it’s tough to count out the 49ers. They are counting on the ascension of some young players, and it seems Kyle Shanahan is counting on a growing process playing out over the course of the regular season. There might be some lingering questions regarding the health of Matthew Stafford in L.A., but the addition of Davante Adams means the Rams have a chance to have a special season. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have a potentially elite defense complementing an offense that went back to the drawing board, and the Cardinals can do plenty of damage if their star quarterback and future star receiver click this year.
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Based on the average of predicted win totals submitted by each of The Athletic’s beat writers for every team in the division, here’s how the NFC West stacks up for 2025…
1. San Francisco 49ers
Projected record: 10-7
Who’s new: DC Robert Saleh, STC Brant Boyer, DE Mykel Williams, S Jason Pinnock, NCB Upton Stout, WR Demarcus Robinson, TE Luke Farrell, S Marques Sigle, DT CJ West, DT Alfred Collins, LB Nick Martin, WR Jordan Watkins, LB Luke Gifford, P Thomas Morstead
Who’s gone: DC Nick Sorensen, STC Brian Schneider, WR Deebo Samuel, LB Dre Greenlaw, S Talanoa Hufanga, CB Charvarius Ward, DT Javon Hargrave, G Aaron Banks, DE Leonard Floyd, RB Jordan Mason, DT Maliek Collins, OT Jaylon Moore, P Mitch Wishnowsky
Season preview
Following a six-win 2024 season, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch purged the roster more thoroughly than they have since their initial year in 2017. Gone are Deebo Samuel (one of the most well-known 49ers in recent seasons), pugnacious linebacker Dre Greenlaw, trustworthy safety Talanoa Hufanga and several other veteran starters. Who will take their places? The team is leaning heavily on last year’s draft class, which includes receiver Ricky Pearsall and cornerback Renardo Green, as well as this year’s class, the first five of which were defensive players.
One of the reasons the team was so intent on hiring Saleh, their defensive coordinator from 2017-20, is his experience revamping San Francisco’s defense in 2017 and doing something similar when he became the New York Jets’ head coach in 2021. Saleh’s current project is more of a “mini rebuild,” considering the unit already has defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, as well as Green and Deommodore Lenoir at cornerback. Rookies Mykel Williams, Upton Stout, CJ West and Marques Sigle have shown promise defensively, while Watkins, running back Jordan James and guard Connor Colby will likely work into the offensive mix throughout the season. The 49ers seem prepared to play youngsters and suffer inevitable growing pains early in the season in the hope that the team will mature and congeal by the second half, when the schedule becomes more favorable. — Matt Barrows
NFC West fantasy breakout player: Ricky Pearsall
The 2024 first-round pick closed last season with back-to-back games of 18-plus fantasy points. He has elite athleticism and blends traits that made Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel effective in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. With nearly every 49ers receiver dealing with injuries (Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing) and Demarcus Robinson suspended for three games to start the year, Pearsall has emerged as Brock Purdy’s clear WR1. He could get off to a red-hot start and carry that momentum into a true breakout season. — Theo Gremminger
From “The Athletic Football Show” podcast: What are you watching for the first month of the season?
There’s the Ricky Pearsall question. I think we all liked what he could be at the end of last year. But the fact of the matter is, OK, is he a B-minus, fun Wide Receiver 2, or is this a guy who we can actually feed and get him 1,100, 1,200 yards? Can he be Calvin Ridley — not the sexiest receiver in the league but a guy who pretty consistently gets 1,000 yards? Can he be that caliber of player over the course of 17 games? — Derrik Klassen, “The Athletic Football Show”
You can listen to full episodes of “The Athletic Football Show” for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Projected record: 10-7
Who’s new: WR Davante Adams, DT Poona Ford, C Coleman Shelton, ILB Nate Landman, TE Terrance Ferguson, OT D.J. Humphries
Who’s gone: WR Cooper Kupp, OLB Michael Hoecht, DT Bobby Brown III, WR Demarcus Robinson, G Jonah Jackson
Season preview
Optimism felt sky-high earlier in the offseason after the Rams agreed to year-to-year terms with star quarterback Matthew Stafford, signed receiver Davante Adams and run-stopping defensive tackle Poona Ford, and extended starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, all that after head coach Sean McVay kept both offensive and defensive coordinators for the first time in in his career. But Stafford missed almost all of training camp while dealing with an aggravated disc and Jackson missed that entire period while receiving treatment for blood clots. It’s fair for fans to worry about these things, even if the organization’s decision-makers swear they aren’t. McVay believes he could win several games with backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and a revitalized run game (with leading rusher Kyren Williams the fresh recipient of a three-year contract extension), but there isn’t an arm quite like Stafford’s in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the Rams shored up their run defense with Ford and a group of inside linebackers led by starter Nate Landman — but whether they have enough juice in their secondary with a pair of 30-something cornerbacks (Ahkello Witherspoon, 30, and Darious Williams, 32) remains to be seen. The Rams will count on their young, dynamic pass rush to lead the way on defense and hope to keep Stafford upright and healthy as they pursue their Super Bowl aspirations. — Jourdan Rodrigue
From “The Athletic Football Show” podcast: What are you excited about?
This is aggressive framing, but the last time this team had an X receiver like this they won the Super Bowl. There’s a couple of reasons that I’m excited for that. One, I’m still not entirely sold on the run game. So the fact that Davante Adams can come in and they can maybe get back to some of that 2021 offense, maybe being a little bit more of a gun and empty team, I think that’s really exciting. — Derrik Klassen, “The Athletic Football Show”
You can listen to full episodes of “The Athletic Football Show” for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
3. Seattle Seahawks
Projected record: 9-8
Who’s new: OC Klint Kubiak, QB Sam Darnold, WR Cooper Kupp, LG Grey Zabel, OLB DeMarcus Lawrence, FB Robbie Ouzts, TE Elijah Arroyo, DB Nick Emmanwori, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, TE Eric Saubert, WR Tory Horton
Who’s gone: OC Ryan Grubb, QB Geno Smith, WR DK Metcalf, WR Tyler Lockett, TE Noah Fant, G Laken Tomlinson, OLB Dre’Mont Jones, S Rayshawn Jenkins
Season preview
The Seahawks are betting on an elite defense, an understandable goal given that they are returning nearly every starter from a unit that finished fifth in opponent points per drive in 2024. The defense is also swapping Dre’Mont Jones for DeMarcus Lawrence, adding second-round rookie Nick Emmanwori at “big nickel” and getting a full season of Ernest Jones IV at inside linebacker (plus the return of outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu). Seattle should have a top-five defense in 2025.
The Seahawks are also betting on having an elite offense, an understandable (though perhaps not-as-plausible) goal given how new everything is on that side of the ball. There’s a new play caller, new offensive assistants, new scheme, new quarterback, new receivers and new tight ends. Many of those changes needed to be made, and they should ultimately improve a unit that ranked 21st in points per drive, below teams like the Jets, Colts and Dolphins. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s wide-zone, play-action-heavy scheme is a proven, quarterback-friendly system. Seattle should be better with Kubiak calling the shots.
The answers to two questions will determine Seattle’s fate: Will the offensive line finally be competent? And will Seattle get the 2018-2023 version of Sam Darnold or the 2024 edition? — Michael-Shawn Dugar
From “The Athletic Football Show” podcast: What are the swing points for the Seahawks?
Mine is whether their bet on the offensive identity change is ultimately going to work. And you look at what the offense was last year compared to what the offense is now, it couldn’t be more different. I think that was the point, is that you go from a system under Ryan Grubb where the pass and run games are completely divorced from one another, there’s actually no cohesion between them, to a system where there’s as much cohesion as possible because of what the play-action game is supposed to be within this offense. And the number that I would throw out that I think really illustrates this: No offense in the NFL last season played more snaps against base defense than (Klint Kubiak’s offense with) the New Orleans Saints. Seattle was 30th. — Robert Mays, “The Athletic Football Show”
You can listen to full episodes of “The Athletic Football Show” for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
4. Arizona Cardinals
Projected record: 8-9
Who’s new: OLB Josh Sweat, DT Calais Campbell, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DT Walter Nolen III, CB Will Johnson, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, WR Simi Fehoko, QB Jacoby Brissett
Who’s gone: LB Kyzir White, DT Roy Lopez, OLB Dennis Gardeck
Season preview
The Cardinals have made steady improvement under head coach Jonathan Gannon. In Year 3, they aim to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021, a goal that should be within reach.
GM Monti Ossenfort has upgraded the defense, which last season ranked 21st in the league. Josh Sweat, a star of Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles, is the pass rusher the Cardinals have lacked. Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell are trusted vets. In addition, Darius Robinson, a 2024 first-round pick who missed most of last season with a calf injury, is healthy. Even with Walter Nolen III, the team’s 2025 first-round selection, sidelined with a calf issue, the Cardinals have turned their defensive front into a strength.
On the back end, safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson form one of the NFC’s top duos, but Arizona’s corners remain unproven. Last season’s starters, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas, will miss the season with knee injuries. Garrett Williams has star potential, but second-year corner Max Melton and rookie Will Johnson will have to mature quickly. If they do, this group will make major strides.
The biggest offensive storyline focuses on Kyler Murray and receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. Entering his seventh season, Murray still hasn’t shown the consistency required to become a top QB. Decision-making has been a problem. A strong connection with Harrison would help. Harrison last season put up decent rookie numbers (62 catches, 885 yards, 8 TDs), but he often struggled to get separation and make contested plays. His improvement is the unit’s biggest question.
The Cardinals last season had the NFL’s seventh-best rushing attack. That shouldn’t change. Rugged James Conner is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season, and Trey Benson should have a bigger role in his second year. While the Cardinals are thin at receiver, they have one of the league’s top tight ends in Trey McBride, who last season had 111 catches, fourth-most by a tight end in league history. He’s a force in both the passing and run games.
The Cardinals last season fizzled over the season’s second half, which cost them a playoff spot. This season, with a stronger defense and more consistent Murray, they are capable of avoiding such a collapse. — Doug Haller
From “The Athletic Football Show” podcast: What’s a successful season for the Cardinals?
I was going to try to do my wimpy thing and hold them to a very normal standard, but I think we talked about it and I think you all are right. I mean, it’s year three. There’s been good progress every year. It’s a wide open division. They were in the lead of this division late last year before they completely wet themselves. Make the playoffs. Don’t lose five out of your final seven games. Don’t average 11 points against Seattle and the Rams at the end of the season and just go out with a whimper. A slightly better performance down the home stretch would have gotten you into the playoffs last year. So just keep it up. Just finish. Football coaches love to say that. Finish, and make the postseason. I don’t think it’s a completely crazy expectation. — Dave Helman, “The Athletic Football Show”
You can listen to full episodes of “The Athletic Football Show” for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
Editor’s note: Projected records are based on individual predictions of the four beat writers in each division, independent of the projected records in the other seven division previews. Therefore, totaling the projected records found in all eight division previews will not necessarily balance out evenly.
(Top photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)