The San Francisco 49ers made a move on Tuesday, acquiring New England Patriots defensive end Keion White to bolster their pass-rush depth. While the addition helps fill a need, it wasn't the blockbuster trade many 49ers fans were hoping for. According to ESPN, the team remains active in exploring other options ahead of the November 4 NFL trade deadline.
One name that continues to generate buzz is Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Cincinnati has shown no interest in parting with its star pass rusher.
"Up to this point, the Bengals have rebuffed trade inquiries, and sources have maintained that Cincinnati has no plans to trade Hendrickson right now," Fowler wrote. "The Cowboys and 49ers are among the interested teams, though San Francisco made a move for a pass rusher Tuesday night."
Fowler added that a loss to the Chicago Bears this weekend could potentially shift the Bengals' stance as the deadline nears.
Meanwhile, Dan Graziano also named the 49ers as a team to keep an eye on as the trade window closes. With a winning record and several aging veterans on the roster, San Francisco may look to make another aggressive push for a deep playoff run.
This season, the 49ers have been hit hard by injuries, especially on defense. Linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) and defensive end Nick Bosa (ACL) have both suffered season-ending injuries.
"There's no one-for-one move that would replace a Nick Bosa or a Fred Warner, but the Niners owe it to the rest of their veteran roster not to white flag this season," Graziano wrote. "I know they've been calling around about pass-rush help (they got some Tuesday with White), and they've been known to be active and creative at the deadline in past years. I'm feeling confident they'll do something beyond what they've already done."
If San Francisco considers selling instead of buying, one possible trade chip could be wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who has underperformed in 2025 while battling multiple injuries, including shoulder, ankle, and rib issues.
"Despite nearly 1,000 yards in 2024, Jennings is off to a slower start this season, ranking fifth on the 49ers in receiving (212)," Fowler wrote. "Both sides could use a fresh start."