Despite the quarterback injuries, the San Francisco 49ers won the NFC West division in 2022 with their stout defense and unlimited amount of playmakers. The Seattle Seahawks continue to prove the doubters wrong and outperform expert expectations while the Los Angles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals are on the decline.

Offseason Changes

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been known to have a strong defense year in and year out for the last few seasons, but they did lose some top defensive players this offseason. Safety Jimmie Ward, cornerback Emmanuel Mosley, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, edge rusher Samson Ebukam and Charles Omenihu all signed with new teams for the upcoming 2023-24 season. San Francisco also parted ways with now raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

While the Niners may have lost some key defensive pieces, they gained one as well with the signing 2022 Pro Bowler and 7-year veteran interior defender Javon Hargrave. San Francisco also signed a few other offensive and defensive lineman as well as brought in quarterback Sam Darnold to continue the controversy at the position. Currently, Bryce Purdy is projected to continue to keep the starting position ahead of Trey Lance and Darnold. Purdy was cleared for training camp after he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in the 2022 NFC title game against the eagles.

2023-24 Prediction: 11-6

Weeks 5 through 8 looks to be a tough stretch of games for the Niners as they play the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals before the bye week. Although they do have some tough non-divisional games, I expect the 49ers to sweep the Rams and the Cardinals and more than likely split games with the Seahawks at worst. 10 or 11 wins should be the floor for the 49ers.

Seattle Seahawks

Who would have thought Geno Smith would lead the Seahawks to the playoffs last season, completing almost 70% of his passes with 30 touchdowns, only 11 interceptions, and winning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. In March, Geno Smith resigned with Seattle on a 3-year deal worth $105 million dollars. Seattle also drafted Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet to improve the offense.

The Seahawks made moves defensively to bring back Bobby Wagner and add four other defensive pieces. Seattle also spent the top five pick on Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon and a third-round pick on Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall.

2023-24 Prediction: 8-9

If Geno can play as good as he did last year, I can see this team with a similar record or even better. Seattle does have some tough games towards the end of the year and that is why I have their record around 8 or 9 wins. I would not be surprised though if they surpass this and possibly win the division if the 49ers regress.

Los Angles Rams

With the Rams having little to no salary cap, they signed no key players this past offseason. They also did not have a first-round pick, but did have 14 picks total with additions on offense and defensive line, as well as adding two-time college football national champion Stenson Bennett in the fourth round. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp were out with injuries for many games last year and it is a possibility the team could be much better with the explosive duo.

2023-24 Prediction: 6-11

The Rams won five total games last year and with the young roster and not many changes, I do not see the record getting much better. If everything went right and they have no health issues, at most I see eight wins for this team.

Arizona Cardinals

I said two years ago I believe Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will leave the NFL and go play baseball before his career is over. He has not shown me otherwise and I do believe it is possibility Murray will go play baseball or he will be on a new NFL team soon. Murray did sign a contract in 2022 for $230 million dollars with Arizona and it looks like he will at least be playing football until at least 2028.  Murray is not projected to start the season in week 1 due to his ACL injury. He will at least miss week 1 and possibly more this year. Colt Mccoy is projected to be the starter until Murray returns.

The Cardinals lost two of their best defense players in defensive lineman Zach Allen and Byron Murphy as well as adding little to nothing in free agency. They were able to bring in Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth pick in the 2023 draft.

2023-24 Prediction: 3-14

Similar to last year, I expect this team to be one of the worst in the league. The Cardinals were 4-13 last year and with no huge additions to the roster, I think around 4 or 5 wins is the ceiling for this team.