NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

49ers K Robbie Gould, who has yet to sign his one-year tender, called his situation with the team “complicated” and is focused on spending time with his family. 

“It’s a complicated situation,” Gould said, via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. “The way I’ve kind of approached it is, I want to spend time with my family. And I let my agent handle it, and if anything comes up that I have to make a decision or be in the know, he’ll call me and let me know. But right now there’s nothing to really know, and I’m just enjoying being home and being in Chicago.”

Gould said that his family is his top priority and will “dictate the decisions” he makes regarding his career. 

“I’m at a point in my career where my family is what’s going to dictate the decisions that I make.”

Cardinals

Cardinals first-round QB Kyler Murray had a head start on most of his Arizona teammates learning HC Kliff Kingsbury‘s new offense because of his experience with him in college. The rookie is in the strange position of needing to help the veterans catch up as the Cardinals head into training camp. 

“Everybody is not on the same page like I was with my guys in college right now,” Murray said via Fox Sports’ Jody Jackson. “I’ve only been here for a couple of months so it’s going to take time, it’s going to take reps. But I’m prepared for the ups and the downs, but so far for me it’s been great. The guys have been very accepting of me and I can’t wait to get the season started.”

Seahawks

• Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times writes that Seahawks’ first-round DE L.J. Collier and second-round WR D.K. Metcalf will have “every opportunity” to earn significant playing time in “rotational roles.“
• Regarding Seahawks’ second-year LB Shaquem Griffin, Condotta mentions he will also compete for playing time, but has “stiff competition” and may need injuries to veterans ahead of him to earn a bigger role. 
• As for Collier, Condotta points out that the Seahawks plan to use him as a “five technique” defensive end, which lines up on the strong side of their base defense. 
• Condotta adds that the Seahawks top five-technique ends heading into camp are Collier, Rasheem Green, Quinton Jefferson, and Branden Jackson, while Jefferson emerged as the “primary player” at that position last season. 
• According to Condotta, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll hopes for a “solid 7-8-man rotation” on their defensive line where there is “little drop-off” between each player. 
• Condotta expects Collier to play in rough 50 percent of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps, which would be “probably the ideal.” 
• Regarding the Seahawks’ receivers rotation, Condotta writes that the team used Tyler Lockett, David Moore, and Jaron Brown 66 percent of the time last season and expects them to continue starting. 
• Condotta adds that second-round Metcalf will compete for time as the fourth receiver, but could crack the starting lineup with an “otherworldly preseason.”