In the betting odds for the 2025 season, the closest division race appears to be in the NFC West, where the 49ers are the slightest of favorites over the Rams — thanks in large part to the 49ers’ last-place schedule.
The 49ers are currently the betting favorites to win the NFC West at +165, while the Rams are just behind them at +175. Those odds don’t necessarily mean the 49ers are viewed as the better team, however.
It’s also important to note that the injury-riddled 49ers finished last in the NFC West last year and the Rams finished first, which gives the 49ers a big edge in the NFL’s scheduling formula, which determines three opponents for each team.
The scheduling formula means the 49ers get to play the last place teams in the NFC North, NFC East and AFC North from last season. Those teams are the Bears, Giants and Browns. In the early lines, the 49ers are favored in all three of those games.
The Rams play the first-place teams in those divisions, the Lions, Eagles and Ravens. The Rams are underdogs in all three of those games.
In a close division, those three games could be the difference, and could help the 49ers move from worst to first in the NFC West.
Jalen Ramsey is headed to the AFC North.
According to multiple reports, the Steelers have agreed to acquire Ramsey from the Dolphins.
Ramsey confirmed the news with a video posted to social media.
While terms of the deal were not immediately reported, Ramsey is set to receive a $1.5 million raise in 2025 to make his salary $26.6 million.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media noted that the Rams were another team heavily involved in Ramsey trade talks.
The Dolphins made it known that Ramsey would be available via trade earlier in the offseason and it became clear that the two parties would not reconcile.
Ramsey, 30, started all 17 games for the Dolphins last season, recording two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, and a sack. The three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler will now play for his fourth team.
This trade continues an uncharacteristic offseason for the Steelers, who also brought in high-profile players like DK Metcalf, Darius Slay, and most recently quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Puka Nacua took on a new role as a leader of the Rams’ wide receiver group with Cooper Kupp’s departure this offseason, but that’s not the only change that the team has seen in him since the end of the 2025 campaign.
Nacua has only been in the NFL for two seasons and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur offered a reminder during the team’s offseason program that the wideout is still growing as a player as he heads into his third year.
“I think if we watched his routes on air from a year ago, I think he’s cutting a little bit better than he was a year ago,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “I think he’s breaking down a little bit better. He’s always had incredible hands, that’s an elite skill set of his, on top of toughness and his physicality, but I think he’s even more confident in it.”
While Nacua has moved up the list of longest tenured Rams wideouts, he’s not without a veteran to lean on. Davante Adams joined the team as a free agent and gives the team experience along with a threat who will keep defenders occupied while Nacua tries to turn his increased confidence into points on the field.
Before the Rams and Eagles met in the playoffs, Rams linebacker Jared Verse said he hates Eagles fans. Verse hasn’t backed off from that, but he also respects the passion of the fans who he says scream obscenities at him from the stands.
In an interview with the YouTube channel Whistle, Verse was asked to name the best opposing fan base.
“Probably the Eagles,” Verse answered. “I’ve got to give them that. I like when you kind of get into it, you’re aggressive, you’re loud, and they stand by that with no doubt.”
Verse also said the Eagles are the toughest crowd to play in front of in the NFL.
“Playing the Eagles is like playing your rival in college because you never know what they’re going to say, and they’re going to try to say disrespectful stuff,” Verse said. “They’re going to bring something up. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not going to say anything where it’s like, ‘Bro, you crossed a line,’ but they’re going to say something where you’re like, ‘Hey, who you talking to?’”
Verse will hear it from Eagles fans again in Week Three, when the Rams visit Philadelphia.
The Rams are bringing back a passer who was most recently in the UFL.
Los Angeles is expected to sign Dresser Winn, according to James Larsen of UFLNewsroom.com.
The UFL’s Wednesday transaction wire listed Winn’s contract as being terminated because he was signing with an NFL team.
This will be Winn’s third stint with the Rams. Winn, 26, entered the league with the club back in 2023 but was let go during roster cuts. He came back later in the season on the practice squad after spending time with the CFL’s Edmonton Elks. He was waived again at roster cuts in 2024.
In 2025, Winn started four games for the Memphis Showboats of the UFL. He completed 58.4 percent of his throws for 834 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Aside from starter Matthew Stafford, the Rams also have Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett on their roster at quarterback.
