


Jared Schwartz previews the NFC West as The Post gives division-by-division breakdowns ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
Coach: Kyle Shanahan
2023 record: 12-5 | O/U wins: 11.5
Key additions: DE Leonard Floyd, DT Maliek Collins, WR Ricky Pearsall, CB Renardo Green
Key departures: DE Clelin Ferrell, DT Arik Armstead, S Tashaun Gipson, DE Chase Young, DT Javon Kinlaw
First-and-goal: Falling short in the Super Bowl twice in the last five years — both times to the Chiefs — shows their roster is as close as it gets. Brandon Aiyuk’s contract dilemma and “hold in” was settled after he signed a four-year, $120 million deal. RB Christian McCaffrey, WR Deebo Samuel, TE George Kittle, DE Nick Bosa, LBs Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw and DBs Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward remain some of the best in the league.
Fourth-and-long: Tackle Trent Williams’ contract uncertainty lingered throughout the offseason, and he had been holding out for a new contract before agreeing to terms this week. Is QB Brock Purdy good enough to top the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes if it comes down to it again? Multiple staples on defense departed. Pearsall’s status is uncertain after he was shot in an attempted robbery on Satudary in San Francisco.
Prediction: 11-6. Too much talent to be usurped in the division, but off-the-field drama prompts a step back and failure to return to the Super Bowl.
Coach: Sean McVay
2023 record: 10-7 | O/U wins: 8.5
Key additions: G Jonah Jackson, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl, DE Jared Verse, DT Braden Fiske, RB Blake Corum
Key departures: DT Aaron Donald, C Coleman Shelton, DE Jonah Williams, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, S Jordan Fuller, LB Ernest Jones
First-and-goal: It seems hard to discount the Rams as long as McVay is in charge and Matthew Stafford is at quarterback. Receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams erupted out of nowhere last year — can they repeat their performance? Multiple impact players were added on defense. Corum, their third-round pick, should immediately supplement the ground game, and WR Jordan Whittington, their sixth-round pick, has a chance to emerge as another unexpected contributor after a strong preseason and camp.
Fourth-and-long: It’s pretty much impossible to replace Donald, arguably the best defensive player of his generation. WR Cooper Kupp has begun to slow down the last two years, which have been shortened by injury, and OT Rob Havenstein isn’t getting any younger. They traded Jones, whose 145 tackles last year led the team, to the Titans for fifth- and sixth-round picks after failing to reach a contract extension, leaving a big hole in the heart of the defense.
Prediction: 9-8. McVay and Stafford power another playoff appearance, though a lack of overall talent caps their ceiling.
Coach: Mike Macdonald
2023 record: 9-8 | O/U wins: 7.5
Key additions: G Laken Tomlinson, OT George Fant, DT Jonathan Hankins, LB Jerome Baker, LB Tyrel Dodson, S Rayshawn Jenkins, DT Byron Murphy
Key departures: TE Will Dissly, G Damien Lewis, C Evan Brown, LB Jordyn Brooks, LB Bobby Wagner, S Jamal Adams, S Quandre Diggs
First-and-goal: Welcome to life after Pete Carroll. What will the team’s identity be under Macdonald, a former defensive coordinator and now the youngest head coach in the league? WRs DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and RBs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet provide QB Geno Smith plenty of firepower. Though two safeties departed, the secondary remains strong with Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen.
Fourth-and-long: Smith’s production last year dipped after his resurgent season two years ago, and now he has a new offensive system to learn. Smith-Njigba, the No. 20 pick last year, had a quiet rookie season. Did they do enough to overtake either the Rams or 49ers?
Prediction: 7-10. It will take some time to move on from their iconic coach, and a quiet offseason means trouble.
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Coach: Jonathan Gannon
2023 record: 4-13 | O/U wins: 7.5
Key additions: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DT Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, RB Trey Benson, OT Jonah Williams, C Evan Brown, DT Justin Jones, DT Bilal Nichols, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, WR Zay Jones
Key departures: LT D.J. Humphries, WR Marquise Brown, WR Rondale Moore, DT Leki Fotu
First-and-goal: Having QB Kyler Murray, who only played eight games last year, fully healthy for an entire season should immediately raise the Cardinals’ floor. Three of their four wins last year came with Murray behind center. Harrison, whom the Cardinals took with the No. 4 pick in this year’s draft, was one of the most heralded receiver prospects in recent memory. First- and second-rounders Robinson and Melton should contribute, too. Tight end Trey McBride emerged as one of the league’s best last year, and can take another leap forward with a healthy Murray.
Fourth-and-long: Gannon’s first year in charge last season left a lot to be desired, and the roster still lacks depth. Also, Murray has played just 19 games the last two years, so banking on his health is certainly risky. This team still feels far away from competing. Finishing last year with the third-least sacks in the NFL, they added interior defensive lineman rather than proven pass-rushers. How do they pressure opposing quarterbacks?
Prediction: 6-11. Harrison helps, but building around a mobile QB with Murray’s build is dangerous.