Around the NFC West: Michael Carter’s Impact in Arizona, Rams’ Pass-Rush Identity, and Seattle’s Versatile Secondary
Let’s take a spin around the NFC West, where a few key players are quietly - and not so quietly - shaping the identity of their teams down the stretch. From a trusted back in Arizona, to a rising pass-rush duo in L.A., to a pair of Swiss Army knives in Seattle’s secondary, here’s what’s standing out.
Arizona Cardinals: Michael Carter Making His Presence Felt
When the Cardinals added Michael Carter midseason, it didn’t exactly dominate headlines. But inside the building, his impact has been undeniable. Head coach Jonathan Gannon isn’t holding back when it comes to praising the former Jets running back - not just for his production, but for the energy and effort he brings every snap.
“His effort was through the roof - not just when he had the ball, but when he didn’t,” Gannon said. And that’s not coachspeak.
Gannon pointed to specific plays where Carter was blocking defenders well downfield, away from the action. That kind of hustle doesn’t show up in the box score, but it tells you everything about a player’s mindset.
Since arriving in Arizona, Carter has brought a spark - smiling in the building, embracing practice, and preparing like a pro. Gannon made it clear: this is a guy the Cardinals can count on. And in a backfield that’s needed consistency, Carter’s all-out approach is exactly what this team has been looking for.
Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, Byron Young, and a Pass-Rush with Personality
Jared Verse wasn’t sure what to make of his pre-draft meeting with Rams linebackers coach Joe Coniglio.
“I thought he hated me,” Verse admitted. “Didn’t laugh, didn’t smile - I thought there was no way I was going to the Rams.”
Fast forward to now, and not only is Verse a Ram, but he’s become a key figure in a young, aggressive pass-rushing unit alongside Byron Young. Together, they’ve helped shape the personality of this Rams defense - fast, physical, and relentless.
Head coach Sean McVay sees the chemistry between the two as a major asset. “They’re really good football players with complementary skill sets,” McVay said.
“They love and care about each other. They go at each other in a good way.”
That bond, and the way they push each other, is no accident. Coniglio has built a room where players can be themselves - but also be held accountable.
“We don’t want Jared playing like he’s in a box,” Coniglio explained. “He’s got to do his part, sure, but we want him playing fast and free.
That’s when his football IQ and personality come alive.”
Letting Verse unleash his instincts is key. He’s not a plug-and-play piece. He’s a disruptor - and the Rams are letting him be just that.
Meanwhile, on the discipline front, the league handed down fines to two Rams defenders: Braden Fiske was hit with an $11,881 penalty for a hip-drop tackle, while safety Jaylen McCollough was fined $5,361 for use of the helmet.
Seattle Seahawks: Witherspoon, Emmanwori Fueling Defensive Flexibility
If there’s one word that defines Seattle’s defense this season, it’s versatility. And no two players embody that more than Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori.
“They can do so much,” safety Julian Love said. “They can blitz, Nick can play D-end, safety, nickel, corner - whatever.
He has the size to do it all. And ‘Spoon just has a talent to do it all.”
This isn’t just about filling roles. It’s about creating matchup nightmares and giving the Seahawks the ability to shift their defensive identity week to week.
One game, Emmanwori might line up like a linebacker. The next, he’s locking down a slot receiver.
Witherspoon, meanwhile, has been a tone-setter all year - a true sparkplug, as head coach Mike Macdonald described him.
“He’s probably the sparkplug behind the whole thing,” Macdonald said. “He’s playing really high-level football right now for us.”
And it’s not just the coaches who see it. Teammates like Riq Woolen recognize the ripple effect Witherspoon has on the entire defense.
“He’s a force multiplier,” Woolen said. “Ball-knowers know - when he’s out there, he makes everyone better.”
Witherspoon’s first interception of the season in Week 14 was a long time coming, but it felt like a confirmation of what’s already been obvious: he’s one of the most dynamic young defenders in the league.
Bottom Line
In Arizona, Michael Carter is proving that effort and attitude matter just as much as touches. In L.A., Jared Verse and Byron Young are giving the Rams a pass-rushing identity built on trust and freedom. And in Seattle, Witherspoon and Emmanwori are redefining what it means to be a defensive back in today’s NFL.
The NFC West may not be the powerhouse division of old, but it’s not short on compelling stories - or rising stars who are quietly changing the game.