NFC Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

• The Athletic’s David Lombardi says not to lose sight of the battle for the 49ers’ No. 3 quarterback job between Josh Rosen and Nate Sudfeld, as the winner will have the inside track to being the No. 2 and primary backup in 2022 when Jimmy Garoppolo is presumably gone. 
• San Francisco guaranteed Sudfeld $252,000 but that works out to $14,000 a week during the season which is what he’d make on the practice squad. Lombardi notes that probably means Sudfeld’s floor is at least a spot on the practice squad. 
• Lombardi points out CEO Jed York didn’t rule out the 49ers carrying both Garoppolo and first-round QB Trey Lance in 2022 but at that point the savings from moving on from Garoppolo would be tough to turn down, especially if Lance is ready to play. 

Cardinals

Cardinals DC Vance Joseph said that CB Byron Murphy‘s growth has been noticeable this offseason and thinks he can be a “special player” going forward. 

“You can see his growth,” Joseph said, via Kyle Odegard of the team’s official site. “He’s so much more comfortable. He’s grown into his body. He’s working. He knows the system. He can be a special player for us. He can be one of our better players on defense.”

Murphy is comfortable lining up at either inside or outside cornerback roles. 

“Wherever I am, that’s where I’m at. I think I can play inside and outside,” said Murphy. 

Joseph called Murphy a “mainstay” of their defense for all three years of his career thus far. 

“He’s been the mainstay for three years,” Joseph said.

Murphy indicated that fourth-round CB Marco Wilson and sixth-round CB Tay Gowan have been looking to him for advice, which feels a bit unfamiliar to him at this stage of his career. 

“It feels a little different for me, because I’m still young,” Murphy said. “I haven’t played that many years in the league yet. But to have new guys come in knowing I was in that position before, and me knowing the defense to help them out, it makes me feel better.”

Seahawks

• ESPN’s Brady Henderson raises the possibility of the Seahawks swinging another big trade for a cornerback given how aggressive the team tends to be and their weakness at the position. 
• Henderson mentions Seahawks QB Russell Wilson was a fan of the team’s additions of G Gabe Jackson and TE Gerald Everett this offseason.