2023-09-05 00:12:02
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Geno Smith entered last season under a certain mystery, eight years after his last chance as a regular NFL starter.
Brock Purdy was a complete unknown, the last draft pick lucky enough to respond to circumstances and earn a spot as a rookie.
Despite the lack of filming, the two quarterbacks were instrumental in helping their teams qualify for the playoffs in 2022, with Smith earning the Pro Bowl player sign after leading Seattle to the postseason, and Purdy emerging victorious in his first seven games for San Francisco to reach the NFC championship game.
The performance of both after those seasons will be critical in determining whether the Seahawks or 49ers will be the top players in the NFC West.
“We’re not worried about Brock,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Brock is a reality. He knows how to play and we have to try to keep the team improving and that’s what we intend to do.”
With the Los Angeles Rams undergoing a makeover after years of going all-out, and the Arizona Cardinals undergoing a complete rebuild under new general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon, the 49ers and Seahawks promise to be the top teams in the division for the second season in a row.
The Niners won the division and eliminated their rivals in the divisional round last season, with Purdy getting the better of Smith and getting plenty of help.
Purdy was sensational as a rookie after being the last player selected in the 2022 draft. He took the job after Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury in December. He led the Niners to victory in relief in his first start and had seven more wins before injuring his elbow in the NFC championship game loss in Philadelphia.
Purdy had surgery, but is in full swing with one of the most complete teams in the league.
But if they’re not even close to last season’s performance, the Niners could fall short against an improved Seahawks roster.
Seattle beefed up its defensive line, bringing back star linebacker Bobby Wagner for a second stint with a healthy Jamal Adams and rookie Devon Witherspoon. The offense added rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The key will revolve around Smith building on last year’s level when he threw for 30 touchdown passes after just five starts in the previous nine seasons.
“We have to get our act together,” Smith said. “We have very good players. But we have to ratify it.”
HAPPY RETURN IN SEATTLE
The Seahawks focused on bolstering a defense that was the team’s weak point last season and reached back into their past to do so.
Wagner, a key player in the Super Bowl champion team a decade ago, returns to Seattle after a year with the Rams and must shore up the linebacker position in the middle.
With cornerback Riq Woolen looking to establish himself after a strong rookie year, the return of Adams from an injury suffered in Game 1 last year, and other additions, Seattle promises to be stronger to control San Francisco after allowing 41 points. in a loss to the Niners in the playoffs.
THE DEFENSE OF SAN FRANCISCO
While the big question about the 49ers revolves around whether Purdy was a fluke, there are also some questions about a defense that was the toughest in the league last season.
Coordinator DeMeco Ryans capitalized on that success to earn the Houston head coaching job. San Francisco hired Steve Wilks to relieve him. Wilks has maintained the defensive core, but it remains to be seen if he will repeat Ryan’s accomplishments.
San Francisco was still unresolved in a contract dispute with Nick Bosa, last season’s top defensive back.
THE RESET OF THE RAMS
The Rams still retain some of the figures they emerged as Super Bowl champions 18 months ago, with quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive back Aaron Donald, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and head coach Sean McVay looking to reunite after a season in which they suffered many injuries and finished with a 5-12 mark.
The rest of the roster is packed with rookies and various inexperienced players. Their general manager Les Snead talks about a readjustment, not a rebuild, complicating their chances of fighting in a depleted conference.
WAITING FOR KYLER
The Cardinals find themselves in an awkward first season under new coach Jonathan Gannon, with a depleted roster that will be missing quarterback Kyler Murray for at least the start of the season.
Murray missed the end of last season with a knee injury and his return is still uncertain. Arizona also traded star receiver DeAndre Hopkins and defensive lineman JJ Watt retired. They are undergoing renovation.
With an extra first-round pick next season, Arizona should be fine in the long run, but they’re looking at a tough 2023.
ORDER IN WHICH THEY ARE FORECAST TO END
Seahawks, 49ers, Rams, Cardinals.
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