The 2025 NFL season has concluded, but tensions among NFC West rivals remain high. Following the Los Angeles Rams’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship, Rams safety Quentin Lake spoke candidly about his feelings toward both the Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.
Lake contrasted his emotions toward Seattle and San Francisco, revealing that his respect for the Seahawks exceeds his feelings for the 49ers, despite Seattle’s eventual victory in the Super Bowl LX.
Lake’s Connections Influence His View on Division Rivals
During the interview, Lake explained,
“Surprisingly, I don’t hate them as much as the Niners,”
highlighting that his respect for Seattle comes from their hard work and personal relationships. He continued,
“I have more respect for [the Seahawks] just because they play hard, and I know some guys over there, obviously, Ernest Jones and Cooper Kupp. Those are guys that I’ve been close with and guys that I’ve shed blood, sweat, and tears with on the field, and been able to talk to. I obviously went against Cooper Kupp multiple times in practice.”
Lake’s connections to Seahawks players stem from his time as teammates with Ernest Jones during the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Rams, as well as with Cooper Kupp before the wide receiver moved to Seattle in the 2025 offseason.
Complex Feelings Toward NFC West Competitors
Despite their defeat to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game, Lake emphasized that there is no lingering hostility toward the Seahawks. He said,
“There was no bad blood at all. I mean, I don’t have that same feeling. [I’m] just more disappointed it wasn’t us.”
Lake’s disappointment centers on missing the Super Bowl, rather than any bitterness against the victors.
The Rams and 49ers have maintained a heated rivalry within the division. The two teams split their regular-season matchups in 2025, with San Francisco narrowly winning 26-23 at Sofi Stadium in Week 5, while Los Angeles secured a decisive 42-26 victory in Santa Clara during Week 10. Lake contributed with 22 tackles combined across these games.
Upcoming NFL International Matchups to Extend Rivalries
Looking ahead, the 49ers and Rams are scheduled to face each other in the NFL’s first international game set for Melbourne, Australia, next season. This event promises to continue the fierce competition between these NFC West teams, now played on a global stage.
