49ers RB Raheem Mostert is embracing his role as the leader of the position group even though San Francisco drafted two rookies in the draft this year — third-rounder Trey Sermon and sixth-rounder Elijah Mitchell.
“We all challenge each other, they’re gonna get the best out of me and I’m gonna try to get the best out of them,” Mostert said, via Alex Didion of NBC Sports Bay Area. “Especially with the younger guys, Trey and Elijah, those two guys, they’re really learning under me right now and they’re understanding the game and what it takes to be a pro and they’re handling it so well.”
Cardinals
Regarding Cardinals’ veteran WR Larry Fitzgerald‘s possible return, Christian Kirk said the receiver is taking his time and they are taking a wait-and-see approach.
“You never know with Fitzy,” Kirk said, via ProFootballTalk. “He’s kind of taking his time. A little longer this year, but he’s done it like this in the past, where he takes his time and kind of does his own thing and then he’ll decide. So we’ll see.”
Kirk is hopeful that Fitzgerald returns and mentioned how the veteran has helped him progress while with the Cardinals.
“I know he loves the game and will always have love for the game. That’s a big brother to me. I’m appreciative of every moment that I’ve had with him — on and off the field. I think I’ve definitely learned more, just how to carry myself as a professional off the field and building relationships with people. I’m super grateful for him. And going from him being my idol growing up living in Arizona, to now having him as family, my big brother — it’s a special thing. But I hope to see him back on the field.”
Rams
Rams LT Andrew Whitworth said the organization’s goal this season is to win Super Bowl 56.
“For us, that’s just the truth,” Whitworth said, via Adam Maya of NFL.com. “We’ve figured out how to win playoff games, we’ve made some runs in the postseason. And this time for us and this opportunity we feel like this team, nothing short of going to that Super Bowl and winning it is good enough. And that’s really the expectation level for us, even though we know that’s a slippery slope. But that’s where we want to be. And if that’s what you want, then you got to be able to speak about it and let people know that that’s the only thing you see is the goal, and the only thing you see as accomplishing this season is just going and winning a Super Bowl.”
Whitworth said Rams’ new QB Matthew Stafford has a clear veteran presence around the team this offseason.
“We’re excited about having Matthew,” Whitworth said. “He’s a heck of a football player, and somebody that over the years everybody that’s been in the league has watched and had a ton of respect for and really how he plays the game, the toughness he plays it with, and with that extreme talent level he has in being a top pick. Being around him, you can just tell he’s your veteran quarterback. He’s calm and collected and kind of knows exactly what he wants to do with the football and wants a lot of ownership in the offense and where he’s going with the ball.”
Whitworth reiterated that Stafford leading the offense has him “really excited” for this season.
“I think we’re really excited about this year and really excited that, you know what, we won’t shy away from the expectations we have for ourselves, adding a guy like Matthew Stafford, and we look forward to the challenge.”
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