NFC West preview of 2025 season: 49ers aim to reclaim divisional crown

The 2025 NFL season is upon us and one of the most competitive divisions will be the NFC West. The Los Angeles Rams come in as defending champions and, with key additions like wide receiver Davante Adams, they look primed to repeat.

The San Francisco 49ers, however, are determined to return to their glory days – two Super Bowl appearances in the past five years – now with most of their players healthy and ready to unleash a suffocating defense under coordinator Robert Saleh.

At the other end of the division, the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks split the bottom spots, with best-case hopes of grabbing a wild card and worst-case scenarios of securing a top pick in the 2026 Draft.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers parted ways with several stars – trading wide receiver Deebo Samuel to Washington and losing Aaron Banks to Green Bay, Charvarius Ward to Indianapolis, plus Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw to Denver. Even so, they’re expected to field a revamped defense led by the mastermind Robert Saleh, capable of compensating for the loss of those veterans.

Player to watch: Christian McCaffrey, RB

If San Francisco’s offense is to work in 2025, much of the load will fall on McCaffrey’s shoulders. Quarterback Brock Purdy has a new deal but will be without top wideouts Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk due to injuries, leaving the ground game as the key to success.

Must-see games

• Week 1: at Seattle Seahawks
• Week 5: at the Los Angeles Rams
• Week 6: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Rams
• Week 18: vs Seattle Seahawks

Los Angeles Rams

The biggest storyline around the Rams is the health of 37-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford. Limited in preseason by a lingering back injury, Stafford faces doubts about how much he can contribute in his 17th year. The team’s fortunes may instead hinge on a defense anchored by linebacker Jared Verse. In a conference loaded with high-powered offenses like Detroit, Minnesota, Washington and Philadelphia, the Rams’ defense must deliver.

Player to watch: Jared Verse, OLB

Verse, coming off a Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2024, now takes on the challenge of becoming a consistent pass-rushing force in just his second season.

Must-see games

• Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles
• Week 5: vs San Francisco 49ers
• Week 6: at Baltimore Ravens
• Week 15: vs Detroit Lions
• Week 18: vs Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals hope to reach the postseason in Jonathan Gannon’s third year as head coach. They worked on the defense during the offseason, signing Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell, while drafting tackle Walter Nolen. On offense, the key will be the connection between quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Player to watch: Kyler Murray, QB

Arizona’s playoff chances rest largely on Murray. He has incentives tied to playing 70% of offensive snaps, rushing for 600 yards and scoring at least six rushing touchdowns. After 11 interceptions and eight fumbles last season, he must play smarter to keep the team competitive.

Must-see games

• Week 1: at New Orleans Saints
• Week 3: at San Francisco 49ers
• Week 9: at Dallas Cowboys
• Week 17: at Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 18: at Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle’s offense gets a new look under coordinator Klint Kubiak with Sam Darnold replacing Geno Smith at quarterback. But the real future belongs to rookie Joe Milton III. Meanwhile, new head coach Mike Macdonald is banking on the arrival of pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence to upgrade the defense.

Player to watch: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR

Now the WR1 after DK Metcalf was traded to Pittsburgh and Tyler Lockett left for Tennessee, Smith-Njigba will be Darnold’s top target, even as he shares snaps with veteran Cooper Kupp.

Must-see games

• Week 1: vs San Francisco 49ers
• Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelers
• Week 9: at Washington Commanders
• Week 13: vs Minnesota Vikings
• Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers

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