Rams Safety Quentin Lake Explains Respect for Seahawks Over 49ers

Lake says he has "more respect" for NFC West rival Seahawks than 49ers despite playoff loss.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Los Angeles Rams safety Quentin Lake recently shared his feelings toward the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, saying he has "more respect" for the Seahawks despite the Rams losing to them in the NFC Championship Game. Lake cited his personal relationships with Seahawks players Ernest Jones and Cooper Kupp as reasons for his respect, while expressing disappointment the Rams couldn't reach the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

The NFC West is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers all vying for supremacy. Lake's comments provide insight into the dynamics between the rival teams and players, and highlight the personal relationships that can develop even between fierce on-field competitors.

The details

The Rams and Seahawks split their regular-season matchups in 2025, but Seattle ultimately defeated the Rams in the NFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl LX, which they won. Lake, a 2022 sixth-round pick, was teammates with Seahawks players Ernest Jones and Cooper Kupp during his time in Los Angeles. Despite the Rams' playoff loss, Lake believes the team's veteran core of players like Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams can lead them to another Super Bowl title.

  • The Rams and Seahawks split their regular-season games in Weeks 11 and 16 of the 2025 season.
  • The Seahawks defeated the Rams in the NFC Championship Game in the 2025 season.
  • The Rams will face the 49ers in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia before the start of the 2026 season.

The players

Quentin Lake

A safety for the Los Angeles Rams who was recently interviewed about his feelings toward the Seahawks and 49ers.

Ernest Jones

A linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks who was previously Quentin Lake's teammate on the Rams.

Cooper Kupp

A wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks who was previously Quentin Lake's teammate on the Rams.

Matthew Stafford

The veteran quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams.

Davante Adams

A veteran wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.

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What they’re saying

“Surprisingly, I don't hate them [the Seahawks] as much as the Niners. I have more respect for them 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.”

— Quentin Lake, Rams Safety (Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams)

“Finish what we couldn't do this past year. That's it. I'ma start doing it for everybody else. Everybody in the building knew how close we were and we felt like it, you know, if there was a couple things that we did better, it would have been us in Super Bowl 60.”

— Quentin Lake, Rams Safety (Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams)

What’s next

The Rams will face the 49ers in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia before the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Despite the Rams' playoff loss to the Seahawks, Quentin Lake's comments highlight the personal relationships that can develop between players on rival teams, and the respect that can come from hard-fought competition on the field. The NFC West remains one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers all vying for supremacy.