Quarterback Brock Purdy recently mentioned that he feels his San Francisco 49ers are part of “the best division in the NFL” ahead of the start of the 2026 season.
The NFC West features a 49ers side that should again compete for at least a playoff spot, the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and a Los Angeles Rams team that is downright scary on paper after it acquired superstar pass-rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are currently seen as a rebuilding side that could finish the upcoming campaign with the league’s worst overall record. Nevertheless, Cardinals cornerback Will Johnson made it known during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he is looking forward to seeing the 49ers, Seahawks and Rams on multiple occasions from September through January.
Cardinals want to prove themselves against the best of the best
“I mean, I love it. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Johnson said about being part of the NFC West, per Kevin Patra of the NFL’s website. “That’s the best. You get to go against the best every week, and that’s how you prove you’re the best.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams as the overall betting favorites at +550 odds to win Super Bowl LXI in February 2027. The Seahawks were at +1100 odds, while the 49ers were at +1900 odds.
Meanwhile, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Cardinals as the overall favorites at +250 odds to finish the season with the league’s fewest wins. Arizona may not have a long-term answer at quarterback on its roster, and expected Week 1 QB1 Jacoby Brissett is a journeyman who has wanted a pay raise for months.
Cardinals want “to surprise a lot of people this year”
“It’s a great [division],” Johnson continued. “I think we got a good opportunity in front of us to surprise a lot of people this year. They’re just continuing to try to stack the teams against us, but we gonna be ready when the time comes.”
Amid the NFL’s ongoing summer break, it’s not a stretch to say that the Cardinals would “surprise a lot of people” if they manage to remain part of playoff conversations through Thanksgiving. Credit Johnson and Co. for embracing an “us against the world” mentality, but the harsh truth of the matter is that he and his teammates could be in for a rough season.
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