[BobCarl]

Title: The NFC West QB Rooms, Ranked and Deconstructed (by Nate Kessler)

By Nate Kessler – June 28, 2025

Let’s be real—no division in football sees identity swings quite like the NFC West. Over the last five years we’ve seen Super Bowl runs, rebuilds, retirements, and reboots at the quarterback position. As we enter training camp 2025, it’s time to take stock of the most important room in the building: the QB room. Here's how each NFC West team stacks up at the most scrutinized position in sports.

🟦 LOS ANGELES RAMS QB Room:

Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo, Stetson Bennett, Dresser Winn (camp/practice squad)

Verdict: Veteran Stability, If Aging Gracefully

The Rams roll into 2025 with the same engine that powered their Super Bowl run: Matthew Stafford. At 37, Stafford isn't the gunslinger he once was, but he's still one of the best deep-ball throwers in football when upright. The big story is less about Stafford’s health and more about what’s behind him.

Enter Jimmy Garoppolo—yes, that Jimmy G—back in LA on a one-year deal. It’s a savvy insurance move. He knows LaFleur’s offense from the Bay Area days, and if Stafford misses time, the Rams won’t be handing the keys to a rookie or a clipboard mascot. Garoppolo’s not winning MVPs, but he won’t sink the ship either.

Stetson Bennett is still floating in the developmental ether, and Dresser Winn is the camp guy who might hang around for emergencies. But make no mistake: this is Stafford’s show for one more season, and LA is gambling that the offensive line—and maybe the run game—keeps him vertical.

Grade: B+
High floor with Stafford/Garoppolo, but one hamstring tweak away from trouble.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS QB Room:

Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Tanner Mordecai

Verdict: Locked, Loaded, and Long-Term

Brock Purdy just signed a five-year extension worth $265 million, and if you raised your eyebrows... you haven't been watching. The dude has now posted two straight playoff-caliber seasons, and he’s more than just a Shanahan puppet. He anticipates, he escapes, and he wins. He’s no longer “Mr. Irrelevant.” He’s “Mr. $53M per year.”

Mac Jones slides into the backup role and might be the best pure system fit for a Shanahan offense you could ask for in a QB2. He won’t run around like Purdy, but he’s accurate and risk-averse. The 49ers are in “Super Bowl or bust” mode, and Mac is a pretty good insurance plan.

Tanner Mordecai is here for development, but don't expect to see him outside preseason.

Grade: A
Franchise starter locked in, plus a backup who once started a playoff game for New England.

ARIZONA CARDINALS QB Room:

Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett, Clayton Tune, Sincere Haynesworth (reserve/future)

Verdict: Two-Tiered Stability with Explosive Upside

Say what you want about Kyler Murray, but the dude still has top-10 QB talent. His 2024 season post-rehab showed flashes of elite arm talent and escapability. Even Budda Baker couldn’t help but call out how much Murray had improved with his pocket vision. He’s the franchise face—like it or not.

Behind him is Jacoby Brissett, who is probably the most boring yet competent backup in the NFL. He won’t panic, he won’t throw dumb picks, and he’ll keep the offense on-schedule if Murray misses time. Think of him as a Brisket—you won’t eat it every day, but when you need it, it’s dependable.

Clayton Tune is still hanging around, but he hasn’t shown enough to suggest he’s anything more than a QB3 placeholder. If Murray gets hurt again, it’ll be Brissett or bust.

Grade: B
Top-heavy with Kyler, but stabilized by Brissett. Could quietly be a Top 10 QB room if Murray clicks.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS QB Room:

Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe

Verdict: A Rebuild Without Saying the Word “Rebuild”

Seattle made a $100.5M commitment to Sam Darnold, and while that would’ve sounded laughable 12 months ago, it makes a strange kind of sense now. Darnold played his best football in 2024 with the Vikings, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 35 TDs. If Klint Kubiak can keep the scheme similar, the upside’s real.

Drew Lock is back as the clear No. 2, and he’s reportedly had a strong spring. He knows the locker room, he’s got arm talent, and he won’t be surprised if pressed into action.

Then there’s Jalen Milroe—the Alabama dual-threat rookie who might be the real wildcard. The Seahawks plan to use him in limited run-heavy sub-packages (think 6–7 plays per game), and if he develops as a passer? Look out. For now, though, he's a situational gadget piece with a strong arm and even stronger legs.

Grade: B
Potential everywhere, but if Darnold crashes back to Earth, things could get weird fast.

NFC WEST QB ROOM POWER RANKINGS
49ers – Purdy + Mac + Shanahan = continuity, creativity, and cap-smart control.

Rams – Stafford & Jimmy G are old pros who won’t lose you a season.

Seahawks – Darnold’s breakout may be real, but risk/reward is high.

Cardinals – Kyler’s ceiling is top-tier, but the room thins fast if he’s out.

Final Thought:

The NFC West is entering a new era. Gone are the days of Russell Wilson, peak Goff, and 2020’s high-flying chaos. What’s left is a chessboard of veteran starters, calculated backups, and one dual-threat wild card in Jalen Milroe waiting to be unleashed.

So yeah—quarterbacks may not define this division quite like they did five years ago. But come November, the team whose QB room holds the steadiest hand may just be the one planning a playoff run.

Until next time—keep slingin’,
—Nate

Editor’s note: This article was written using AI assistance and formatted for discussion purposes. Attribution to “Nate Kessler” is used for thematic consistency.