Since Nick Bosa‘s ACL tear, many have pointed to the 49ers as a logical candidate to pursue a pass rush addition before next month’s trade deadline. The latest comments on the matter from general manager John Lynch point in that direction. 
“I’m having a lot of conversations, a lot of good and productive ones,” Lynch said during a Thursday appearance on KNBR radio when speaking about a defensive end trade (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area). “If we find a way to make our football team better and it aligns, then we will not be shy on pulling the trigger.”
The 49ers have a track record of making in-season moves, and the likes of Charles Omenihu, Randy Gregory and Chase Young have all been acquired via trade to provide depth along the edge. A clear expectation exists for San Francisco to make at least one move over the coming weeks, and it would come as no surprise if a Bosa replacement were to be targeted. Finding production along the edge has proven to be a challenge so far.
In addition, Yetur Gross-Matos is among the latest members of the 49ers to encounter injury troubles. Especially if he misses notable time, the 49ers could be forced to move with urgency in terms of making an addition. San Francisco sits near the top of the league with nearly $24MM in cap space at the moment; much of those funds will be earmarked for carrying over to next season, but swinging a trade for a rental should still be feasible.
The 49ers are 4-1 despite the list of players who have been sidelined for a considerable period so far. That, coupled with the Bosa injury, could very well drive the decision to make another midseason acquisition along the edge. Few established options at that spot are known to be on the market, but the list of pending free agents includes Jaelan Phillips (Dolphins) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals).
No links with specific players have been made yet in terms of who Lynch and the 49ers could be targeting. Based on today’s remarks, though, San Francisco is certainly in the market.
If the new Jets regime doesn’t see Jermaine Johnson as part of the long-term picture, he would be a sensible target to reunite with Saleh.
Trey Hendrickson would be a sensible acquisition. The Bengals 2025 season is wrecked and they can’t pay the freight on a new contract due to the Burrow, Chase, Higgins, Brown contracts. Sounds like an ideal trade situation for both sides. Not sure if the 49ers have the dosh for another big long term contract, but they may be planning to trade away some more of their expensive pieces on offense. The cupboard is fairly bare there too.
Kittle has 2 TDs in 12 playoff games but Lynch being a genius GM decided it was a great idea to make the aging TE the highest paid player at his position. The 49ers could have swung a deal for Hendrickson if they hadn’t wasted that 76MM.
You’d think that Henderson would be too high profile a target, especially in light of Cincy’s apparent desire to salvage this season, but you also figure that he’d be a logical stand-in in San Fran. Phillips in Miami has flashed huge pass rush potential, but the 9ers also have a host of injury hampered players already. Still, you feel like if it’s difficult to find a player, Phillips is an option with more upside than a lot of players. Would the Giants trade Thibodeaux? Burns and Carter seem to have locked down the starting end positions, and Burns is having a great year. Can Thibodeaux lead a pass rush in Bosa’s absence? He has the athletic potential to. Opposite Bosa could be an interesting combo if he stays after a trade.
If the Saints are truly interested in selling, I wouldn’t actually be interested in Cam Jordan. Carl Granderson has been crazy good in New Orleans this year. He’s been an absolute force in both pass and run defense this year, has an incredible motor, and seems to be a good character player. Thing is, he’s also a not a huge name, so whatever the Saints get for him probably wouldn’t be worth the loss in my mind; if I’m New Orleans, Granderson is a player that I keep to build around in the future. If I’m San Francisco, I’m absolutely asking about him.
it will be Phillips for a 3rd rd and a 7th in 2026….a 6th going to 49ers in 2027
Hendrickson should be the move. Cincy would be stupid to lose him for nothing