NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Rams

49ers

• Joel Corry does not expect 49ers TE George Kittle to get paid at the wide receiver level once he has an extension in place with San Francisco.
• Instead, Corry mentions that the 2021 franchise tag at tight end could be under $10.5 million if next year’s salary cap remains flat at $198.2 million.

Cardinals

Due to the fact that the Cardinals have not re-signed veteran C A.Q. Shipley, backup Mason Cole will be re-assuming the starting job despite being responsible for four fumbles last season as Shipley’s replacement.

“I always try and look at myself watching film positively, but critically at the same time,” Cole said, via Mason Kern of SI.com. “So, I think there was some good things I did as a rookie, but from that year to going on to this year now, I think there’s been — in my game, personally — a lot of strides. And I credit a lot of that to (offensive line coach Sean Kugler). And also some of these other guys, a lot of the older guys in the room have helped me a lot. And just being able to watch them and how they work and how they practice has been huge for me.”

Cole mentions that having a year as a backup behind Shipley helped his game tremendously and gave him a chance to learn about the game from a different perspective.

“I think that having that year being a backup, I think it was huge for me,” Cole added. “To watch a guy like A.Q. and all the other vets in the room work and how they prepare, it’s a year that I never really had. So, I think in a weird way, having that year off actually really helped me. Helped me learn from these other guys and see the room from a whole different perspective.”

Rams

• Dan Graziano of ESPN mentions WR Cooper Kupp, CB Jalen Ramsey, and S John Johnson as potential extension candidates for the Rams over the next year or so.
• Graziano writes that the Rams “have to” sign Ramsey after giving up two first-round picks for him.
• As for Kupp, Graziano expects him to get a new deal after the Rams parted ways with Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks this offseason.