While every NFL team enters each season optimistic about their rosters from top to bottom, there’s always one player who’s facing the most pressure ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Ahead of 2024, the list of players here are facing one of the following: Returning from a season-ending injury, entering a contract year, or needing a breakout campaign to guarantee they have a future in the league.
We recently identified the hot-seat player on every NFL team entering the 2024 season; today, let’s zero in on which NFC West players fit this description.
NFC West Players Under the Most Pressure This Season
Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, Quarterback
Murray can breathe a sigh of relief knowing head coach Jonathan Gannon has his back for the upcoming year, and by getting Marvin Harrison Jr. to throw to via the NFL Draft.
However, Murray hasn’t stayed healthy the last three seasons, including not starting until Nov. 12 in 2023. This season is perfect for Murray to prove he can return to elite status with Harrison Jr. now on his side.
Los Angeles Rams: Tutu Atwell, Wide Receiver
While the Rams feature an embarrassment of riches at WR, Atwell has yet to put up the production that made him the Rams’ first pick of 2021 before their Super Bowl run.
The former second-rounder did deliver his best production in Year 3, but he’s on the final year of his rookie deal and also has Demarcus Robinson vying for WR3 duties next to Nacua and Cooper Kupp.
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San Francisco 49ers: Drake Jackson, Defensive End
The 49ers drafted Jackson in the second round in 2022 with the intent of giving Nick Bosa some dynamic help. Jackson has never crossed past three sacks since his selection. He also has had to settle for rotational duties with zero starts. Year three becomes the season that decides his SF future.
Seattle Seahawks: Tre Brown, Cornerback
The former fourth-round selection in 2021 snatched a career-best two picks last season. Brown, though, is getting buried in a CB room that has Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon. Artie Burns also remains in the same building.
Lastly, Brown is in the final year of his rookie deal.