Many see the Rams as the team to beat in the NFC West, but one reporter thinks otherwise.
The Seattle Seahawks, as odd as it is to say about a Super Bowl champion, aren't exactly on everyone's radar to retain their title in 2026.
With Sam Darnold and Mike Macdonald helping navigate the Seahawks to hoist the Lombardi trophy, the rest of the NFC West went about its business improving its rosters this offseason.
The Los Angeles Rams added Myles Garrett, Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, while the San Francisco 49ers signed Mike Evans to give Brock Purdy a genuine No. 1 weapon.
Because of those moves, many have the Rams as the outright favorites for the Super Bowl, leaving the Seahawks, the defending champions, as an afterthought.
But we know that the Seahawks' roster is still one of the better units in football, even after we factor in the Rams' and 49ers' moves.
However, when it comes to who should be the favorites for the NFC West crown, who should be at the top of the list?
ESPN's 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner still thinks that the Seahawks are the team to beat.
"All due respect to the Rams and 49ers, but the Seahawks are not only the defending world champions, they're also loaded with young, ascending talent," Wagoner wrote.
"While San Francisco and Los Angeles might have more long-established star power, many of Seattle's best players are just now entering their prime and have big-game experience and success, to boot.
"A new offensive coordinator brings some questions, but it's up to the rest of the league to take the crown because the Seahawks won't surrender it easily."
So, despite all of the offseason additions, until the Seahawks have officially been knocked off their perch, they are the favorites.
And rightly so.
The Rams won't be able to test their defensive power against Seattle until Week 16, so the season could be in a fascinating position when the two do meet.
The 49ers can't be forgotten in the NFC West race either, having gone 12-5 with a lengthy injury list last year, so it is a genuine three-horse race.
And the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks have earned the right to lead that race until further notice.
