Four of the Biggest Questions in NFL: NFC West Edition
Arizona Cardinals: Can Kliff Elevate Kyler?
In 2019, the Arizona Cardinals moved on from QB Josh Rosen and drafted Kyler Murray out of Oklahoma with the number one overall pick. Figuring Rosen barely has an NFL job while Murray is ascending, the Cardinals made the correct move. In two years, Murray has 46 passing TD’s to 24 INT, a very solid ratio. He also has 15 total rushing touchdowns to go along with that. The issue is his record, which currently stands at 13-18-1. While we all know wins and losses don’t fall solely on the quarterback, he is a part of it, as well as head coach Kliff Kingsbury and the rest of the team. Kingsbury has not proved to be a winner at any level with his teams playing a video game-style of football. You can win games with this, but when it gets tough, it is hard to adjust. The big question will be if Kingsbury can get the best out of Kyler Murray and the Cardinals as a whole. Arizona will compete for a playoff spot or even a division title if he can do that.
San Francisco 49ers: QB Competition?
Despite making the Super Bowl in 2019, the Jimmy Garoppolo tenure has not always been good. Garoppolo has repeatedly dealt with injuries, prompting the 49ers to draft QB Trey Lance with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Garoppolo will presumably be the starter to kick off 2021 the season, but he may not be there at the end of it. San Francisco has a roster that should make the playoffs when healthy and will be counting on their quarterback to get it done. Will it be Garoppolo, who has “been there before,” or Lance, a quarterback with little to no experience?
Seattle Seahawks: Can Seattle Win in The Trenches?
Year in and year out, the Seattle Seahawks are a playoff team but are not physical enough to be anything more than that. In other words, Seattle is a sexy team, but struggles in the trenches. Quarterback Russell Wilson is constantly one of the most sacked quarterbacks in football, and safety Jamal Adams was arguably their best pass rusher last season. Seattle has to win up front and establish an identity if they want to get over the hump and get back to the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Rams: How Talented is the RB Room?
With the trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Rams are ready to win now but will have to do it without their lead running back Cam Akers after he tore his Achilles this offseason. Now, it is Darrell Henderson’s backfield and with the play style of the Rams, this might not be enough. I fully expect them to make a move for a running back to join the locker room. Veterans like Le’Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson are available, as well as a possible reunion with Todd Gurley. This is their only true issue though, as the Rams look to raise the Lombardi in 2021-22.
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-By: Richie Dordas