NFC West Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams

Cardinals

• According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, a well-connected NFL source thinks Titans QB Marcus Mariota would fit in perfectly as a backup to Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. 

49ers

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that he gets the sense the talk of Patriots QB Tom Brady to the 49ers is more people from Brady’s side expressing interest than the organization. 
• Breer says the talk in league circles is that 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo could be on the clock, though, as Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, a favorite of HC Kyle Shanahan, is slated for free agency in 2021. 
• NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco writes a one-year deal makes the most sense for the 49ers and DE Ronald Blair, who gets a chance to rehab from his ACL injury and prove himself in a familiar environment. 
• Maiocco says the Browns and new DC Joe Woods, San Francisco’s former secondary coach, could be the one team that might poach Blair. 

Rams

Earlier this offseason, Rams HC Sean McVay mentioned the Rams need to sit down with RB Todd Gurley and discuss his usage and the health of his knee before deciding how to proceed. However, when asked about it, Gurley said he didn’t necessarily have much to say. 

“It just depends on what the conversation is about,” Gurley said via the Athletic’s Rich Hammond. “I’m more of a guy where, if there ain’t nothing to talk about, then there ain’t nothing to talk about. But if we’ve got something to talk about, then we can talk. That’s kind of my perspective. Coach got my number. Coach got my number.”

Gurley added that he doesn’t feel like he has anything he needs to get off his chest related to how the 2019 season went for him. 

“Nah, nah, nah. I’m not that type of person,” Gurley said. “I’ve always been able to — I mean, everyone needs to talk to someone, but I’ve always done a pretty good job with that. I know what I’m capable of in football. I know the stuff where I can get better. And that’s just being a part of football. Some years are going to be better than others. Some years are not. That’s just a part of the game. You’ve got to learn how to deal with stuff, and then just keep your head up and keep fighting.

“Like we said, football is a business, so anything can happen, but you’ve got to understand it as a player and not take it personally. You take it personally to a certain extent, but you also be grateful for whatever opportunity you’ve got. I know it sounds cliche, but you literally just control what you can control. As long as my teammates know who I am as a person and stuff like that, I don’t really care about what other people think. The ones that know, know. All that stuff sounds cliche, but that’s kind of how it is.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that how the Rams handle a new contract for LT Andrew Whitworth should show if they really believe G Joseph Noteboom is ready to kick out to left tackle.