Revisiting my February Article on NFC West Storylines
FEBRUARY ARTICLE HERE: https://psf.app/nfl/jwjyg2jp6udmbg9m27kuq17lec2isc
In February, following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 NFL season, I identified what I thought were 4 key storylines for the 4 NFC West teams.
As the NFL Offseason wraps up, and the start of the 2024-2025 season looms on the horizon next month, I’m going to revisit those storylines and examine how those topics ended up developing over the previous 4.5 months. Let’s get into it.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
My Storyline: Will Brandon Aiyuk be extended, or outprice himself into a trade?
The Verdict as of now: Who knows at this point?
UPDATE: Brandon Aiyuk officially requested a trade on 7/19.
It’s been a drama-filled roller coaster of a saga with Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers this offseason.
Deals like Amon-Ra St. Brown’s extension inadvertently drove up Aiyuk’s price for the 49ers, who are low on cap flexibility and would need to get creative on the books for how to fit him in the glut of high-cost salaries they have. Along with his postseason struggles, and the previous up-and-down situation with Kyle Shanahan, the value the 49ers placed upon Aiyuk and the value Aiyuk and his agent placed upon himself seems to have been different from the start.
Aiyuk himself has only added fuel to the drama that has surrounded this situation, no more so than when he openly accused the 49ers of “not wanting him back” in a phone call with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, now the Commanders’ Franchise Quarterback.
The 49ers and Aiyuk are still far off on contract talks, apparently. This could be the worst-case scenario for both parties. Aiyuk may lose a lot of money if he gets hurt, struggles with his play, and loses favor with the coaching staff. The 49ers may just lose Aiyuk in free agency next year after he plays this season on his 5th-year option. Or, it could go just fine, and they reach a deal. Or, the 49ers could deal Aiyuk at the trade deadline. Or, they could deal him now. Or, Aiyuk could outprice himself in free agency next year.
See how many times “or” was used? This is a highly volatile and unpredictable situation that is not close to reaching its resolution, 4.5 months after I mentioned it.
Seattle Seahawks
My Storyline: Will Seattle draft their Quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Verdict: No, they did not. However, they added a young, controllable QB who has shown flashes in Sam Howell.
This storyline was debunked fairly quickly. About a month after I wrote that article, the Seattle Seahawks traded for young Quarterback Sam Howell, in a pick-swap with the Washington Commanders.
Howell, just 23 years old, had an up-and-down season in the Nation’s Capital last season, tossing an equal 21 touchdowns to 21 interceptions in 17 games while leading the offense behind one of the worst offensive lines in football (65 sacks taken).
Geno Smith, in 15 games, took 31 sacks. 34 fewer sacks, in two fewer games. Pretty absurd.
That is some comically poor offensive line play.
Howell enters a much better situation in Seattle. With a veteran QB and established leader in front of him in Geno Smith, a high-level cast of weapons in the offense including D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jackson Smith-Njigba, and Kenneth Walker, Howell should have an easier time generating offense if he steps on the field. With a better offensive line, an aggressive play-caller in Ryan Grubb, and less pressure on him to develop fast, Howell could be on option for the future Quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.
Los Angeles Rams
The Storyline: Can the Rams build a contender this offseason to maximize the rest of Matthew Stafford’s prime?
The Verdict: The loss of Aaron Donald hurts, but the Rams have built a double-digit win team.
The Rams had a pretty solid offseason, focused on the trenches while adding to the secondary like I suggested.
They inked interior lineman Jonah Jackson to a large deal and extended Kevin Dotson, two players who were integral to two good offensive line groups. They added defensive backs Tre’Davious White, Darious Williams, and Kamren Curl to a weak secondary unit, and a stable backup in Jimmy Garoppolo.
Through the draft, they added a plethora of pass-rushing in Florida State’s Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, another offensive threat in Michigan’s Blake Corum, and one of the better safeties in the draft in Kamren Kitchens.
Although their defense is young, it is talented. They will be heavily relying on the young Kobie Turner (9 sacks last year) to help fill the void left by Aaron Donald, alongside trench mate Braden Fiske. Jared Verse should immediately make his presence known on the edge. It is a young unit, but one with a lot of talent, upside, and promise.
The offense, as we know, is strong. By adding Corum, and the reinforcements to the line, they have the potential to be even better. The Rams should be a threat this season, barring good health.
They also provided us with this heartwarming moment:
Arizona Cardinals
The Storyline: Who is the Pick at Pick #4?
The Verdict: It was Marvin Harrison Jr, exactly who it should have been.
As the draft grew closer and closer, it seemed likely that the first three picks in the draft were going to be Quarterbacks, and they were.
Which allowed Marvin Harrison Jr. to fall right into Arizona’s lap, and Franchise Quarterback Kyler Murray had a fitting reaction:
Murray and Harrison should be an effective offensive duo for years to come. Harrison is going to be a game-changer from the moment he steps onto the field, and is skilled enough to be a #1 receiver from the get-go. Factoring in a nice breakout from Michael Wilson and Trey McBride, a bounce-back season from James Conner last year, and a talented running back in Trey Benson being added in the third round, and the Cardinals should quietly have a solid offense.
Harrison should have always been the pick at #4. It was a relief to see them stand pat and take their guy, even with the hundreds of calls they likely got for this slot. The team invested $230 million in Kyler Murray, and adding weapons to his arsenal and investing in his talent was a necessary move.
