NFC Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

In an agent survey by the Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Cardinals were mentioned as one of the teams that should be in contention for the best offseason.

“There should be more talk about the Cardinals’ offseason,” one agent said. “They not only get DeAndre Hopkins, but they also dump David Johnson’s contract. Double win. They needed a No. 1 receiver, help for Kyler Murray and a fit with Larry Fitzgerald. Then they draft (Clemson LB) Isaiah Simmons with the eighth pick, sign (DT) Jordan Phillips and get a linebacker they liked in De’Vondre Campbell. That’s quality defensive help right there.”

Rams

Rams’ backup QB John Wolford said he is confident that he can eventually become a starting quarterback in the NFL. 

“In my mind, I have the confidence that I can play at this level, I can be a 2 and work towards being a 1. And that’s just the way I operate and I say that with humility,” said Wolford, via the Rams Revealed Podcast. 

Wolford feels that the pandemic is an added reason to continue being prepared as if he is going to be a starter. 

“I think any player has to realize the reality of the situation is that at any given week, if any player tests positive – and it could be Thursday or Friday – that you still need to be preparing as if you’re a starter,” said Wolford. “Because the likelihood of that happening, of him not being able to play, is higher with COVID going around. So I like to think that I always take that approach that I’m going to prepare like I’m the starter so whenever that opportunity comes, I’m ready and it’s not going to come as a shock and I’m not going to need an extra week to prepare. That’s been my mindset since I got to the Rams. When I was on the practice squad, I tried to prep like I was the starter and hopefully that has carryover into this season. And god forbid Jared does contract it or something happens in that regard, but I’ll be ready if it does.”

As for the possibility of the NFL going without a preseason, Wolford said he is hopeful to have two preseason games in order to prove himself as the No. 2 behind Jared Goff. 

“Obviously you want those reps and I wanted to prove beyond a shred of doubt that I should be the 2, so hopefully we have the two (preseason games) and I’m not going to comment any more on that because I know that’s in negotiations and it could go down to zero. So I understand the (Players’ Association) saying from a health-risk standpoint, but you want those opportunities to prove you can get the job done.”

Seahawks

• Per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, Seahawks CB Quinton Dunbar‘s attorneys Michael Grieco and Michael Weinstein have withdrawn as representation in Dunbar’s case for alleged robbery.
• Grieco was recently implicated in an investigation for allegedly paying witnesses to recant their testimony against Dunbar and Giants CB Deandre Baker.  
• Seahawks TE Greg Olsen signed a contract with FOX Sports to be the network’s No. 2 game analyst when he retires. (Andrew Marchand)
• Marchand says FOX would wait for Olsen even if he continues his NFL career longer than the current one-year deal he’s on with Seattle. He adds FOX still tried to pry Olsen into the broadcast booth even after he signed with the Seahawks earlier this year.