NFC West Preview: Cracks in the 49er foundation are showing... who takes advantage?

The San Francisco 49ers came within inches of another Super Bowl.

This is a roster loaded with talent — Hall of Fame-level talent — at important positions.

And yet? This offseason exposed fractures. As of this posting, the status of Brandon Aiyuk remains a mystery. We expect San Francisco to be in the NFC title conversation again, obviously, but a door has cracked open for the Los Angeles Rams. Their reset year in 2023 went better than planned.

Our podcast previews continue with the NFC West. I am joined by our longtime NFL personnel man — and 2009 Super Bowl champion — Jim Monos. He tells us why we better keep an eye on the Arizona Cardinals, too.

Also, at the top of the show, we discuss the New York Giants and my three-part series, One Giant Leap, accessible to Go Long subscribers.

Video and Audio of the podcast is above, as well as on Apple, Spotify and our Go Long TD YouTube channel.

Miss a divisional preview this past month?

• AFC West Preview: Michael MacCambridge and the art of the three-peat

• AFC South Preview: It’s Stefon Diggs Time in Houston

• NFC East Preview: They Might Be Giants

• AFC East Preview: Buffalo’s WR gamble, Dolphins stand by Tua & Rodgers (finally) takes NYC

• NFC North Preview: Why the Lions and Packers should think Super Bowl

2024 NFL Season Preview features, to date, icymi:

• David Long Jr., and the beast within

• ‘Undeniable:’ Christian Kirk will attack this defining moment

• ‘We’ll get it done:’ The Buffalo Bills enter the great unknown at wide receiver

• Jordan Love will be an all-time great

• ‘All game long:’ Will Anderson Jr., The Terminator, is the Houston Texans' foundation

• ‘Let’s be bold:’ Inside Press Taylor’s office

• INTO THIN AIR, Part I: Why It’s (Nearly) Impossible to Win Three Straight Super Bowls (three parts)

• One Giant Leap: Our series detailing the New York Giants’ total reconstruction