The San Francisco 49ers found themselves in an unfamiliar spot last season: at the bottom of the NFC West. While injuries had a lot to do with San Francisco’s underwhelming season, the team still had the worst record in the division, and that’s something the franchise has to come back from in 2025. The 49ers will also need to come back from being swept by the Arizona Cardinals.
Prior to 2024, the Cardinals were the worst team in the division for two straight seasons. Underscoring how bad San Francisco was last year, it lost to Arizona close in one game and was dominated in another. However, this shouldn’t be viewed as the Cardinals turning a corner, because they still have quite a few issues ahead of training camp.
In a recent piece by The Athletic, pointing out one lingering question for every NFL team, one of Arizona’s biggest problems were highlighted. Reporter Doug Haller wondered if the team did enough offensively this offseason, specifically pointing out how the team could use another veteran receiver.
"Arizona should have one of the more improved defenses in the league. The offense, however, looks similar to last season's, when Arizona ranked 11th in yardage per game and 12th in scoring. A veteran receiver to go alongside Marvin Harrison Jr. would have helped. The offensive line also needed attention."
Doug Haller (The Athletic)
Cardinals’ offensive concerns should help 49ers send them back to the bottom of the NFC West
There have been talks coming out of Arizona about Marvin Harrison Jr. looking like he’s ready to be an elite receiver, and the Cardinals absolutely need that to happen since they don’t really have any established receivers. Even if Harrison does make a jump, it still would’ve been wise for Arizona to get him some veteran help.
The Cardinals could still make that happen with guys like Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper available, but if they don’t, a thin, inexperienced wide receiver room could be a big reason in them heading back to the bottom of the NFC West. That, of course, wouldn’t be a problem for the 49ers, who are trying to get back to the top.
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