Cardinals Make Key Addition to Coaching Staff, Rams’ Quentin Lake Sounds Off on NFC West Rivals
Cardinals Tap Zac Etheridge to Coach Cornerbacks
The Cardinals are expected to bring in Zac Etheridge as their new cornerbacks coach, according to reports. Etheridge, who most recently served as the defensive pass game coordinator at Miami, is set to join Jonathan Gannon’s staff as Arizona continues to reshape its defense heading into next season.
Etheridge brings a strong background in secondary development, and his arrival signals Arizona’s intent to get more out of a young cornerback room that showed flashes but lacked consistency in 2025. With a defensive-minded head coach in Gannon and now Etheridge focusing on the back end, the Cardinals are clearly prioritizing growth in pass defense - an area that’s been a pain point in recent years.
Rams’ Quentin Lake Opens Up on Seahawks, 49ers Rivalries
Rams safety Quentin Lake isn’t shy about how he feels when it comes to NFC West rivalries - and let’s just say the 49ers top his list of least favorite opponents.
“Surprisingly, I don’t hate [the Seahawks] as much as the Niners,” Lake said during an appearance on Up & Adams. “I have more respect for them just because they play hard, and I know some guys over there.”
That respect seems to stem from personal connections. Lake mentioned teammates like Ernest Jones and Cooper Kupp - players he’s battled with and bonded with - as part of the reason he doesn’t carry the same edge toward Seattle.
“There was no bad blood at all. I mean, I don’t have that same feeling,” Lake added. “Just more disappointed it wasn’t us.”
That disappointment still lingers. The Rams came close in 2025, and Lake made it clear that next season is about finishing what they couldn’t.
“Finish what we couldn’t do this past year. That’s it,” he said.
“I’ma start doing it for everybody else. Everybody in the building knew how close we were.”
Lake didn’t hold back when talking about what drives him heading into the offseason. It’s not just about personal goals - it’s about doing right by the veterans who’ve led the way.
“We felt like… if there was a couple things that we did better, it would have been us in Super Bowl 60,” he said. “So, I’m more so doing it really for Stafford, coach McVay, for Davante and all these older guys.”
The Rams are clearly carrying some unfinished business into 2026. And if Lake’s mindset is any indication, this team isn’t just hoping for a return to the big stage - they’re expecting it.