NFC Notes: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

49ers TE George Kittle had high praise of rookie QB Trey Lance after Monday’s OTAs, pointing out that Lance did well to process progressions on the field. 

“I was really excited yesterday, he made an awesome throw on a play-action,” Kittle said, via Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports. “He found my rookie Josh Pederson on a far corner on a roll-out which is the last guy you would throw it to on the play. The fact that he found him on his first ever roll-out is pretty cool.”  

Kittle added that Lance is playing better than a typical rookie quarterback so far in practice.

“He looks better out there than a rookie quarterback,” Kittle said. “When he’s out there, he’s slinging it.” 

Kittle believes it would be “impressive” to see Lance develop in 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan‘s system as a rookie. 

“Just seeing him out there, trying to figure it out,” Kittle said. “I like watching guys compete and if you can pick up this offense as a rookie and be able to analyze it and throw it to the right guy, and at the same time overcome coaching to make a play, it’s impressive. So I just can’t wait to see what these next OTA days give Trey and continue to allow him to move forward.”

Rams

Rams HC Sean McVay said Matthew Stafford has already left a positive first impression during the early days of OTAs. 

“The consistency that he comes to work with is definitely something that he makes it really fun,” McVay said, via Gary Klein of the LA Times. “And I’ve been pleased with what he’s done up to this point.”

Stafford is grateful that teams are allowed to practice together after last year’s protocols to prevent spreading the virus. 

“The ability for teams to practice against each other has been a huge thing I’ve been a part of the last couple years that I actually really loved,” Stafford said. “Whether it was two-minute situations or just a rip of about 10 third downs in a row, whatever it is, they can kind of force the situation on the players and really make us react and go out there and play, which is a positive.”

McVay said OL Austin Corbett is converting from guard to center and is creating a “nice rapport” with Stafford. 

“He and Matthew have established a nice rapport together,” McVay said of Corbett. “I know that Austin can play really well at guard, and we’re going to continue to see what it looks like at center and try to find the best combination of five to play up front.”

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said they have not closed the door on free-agent LB K.J. Wright potentially returning but they would like to evaluate their younger talent on the roster. 

“Until we get on the field and can see how things are starting to come together there won’t be major changes in what’s going on because we’re pretty committed at this point,” Carroll said, via ProFootballTalk. “That doesn’t mean that we’re not tuned into all of the options and the opportunities that are out there because we are. But K.J. is OK at this point. He’s doing fine. And if we get a chance to call on him we’ll go after it and see if we can put something together.”