The San Francisco 49ers' defense struggled to generate impact plays during the 2025 season. The unit finished with just 20 sacks—the fewest in the NFL. The next lowest total belonged to the New York Jets with 26. San Francisco also recorded only six interceptions, again ranking near the bottom of the league. Only the Jets, who had none, fared worse.
A stronger pass rush would help address both issues. Consistent pressure leads to sacks, but it also forces quarterbacks into hurried decisions—creating interception opportunities and momentum-changing plays.
The 49ers attempted to reshape their defensive front last offseason, though much of the focus appeared to be on improving run defense. San Francisco used the No. 11 overall pick on defensive end Mykel Williams, hoping he would develop into a reliable pass rusher. The team also traded for Bryce Huff, envisioning a disruptive presence opposite Nick Bosa.
Those plans unraveled quickly. Bosa suffered a torn ACL by Week 3, while an ankle injury sidelined All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner by Week 6. With multiple stars unavailable, the defense never came close to reaching its full potential.
That reality raises an obvious question: Will the 49ers aggressively pursue pass-rush help this offseason?
One name drawing league-wide attention is Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Reports suggest Crosby and the Raiders may be headed toward a split, potentially making one of the NFL's premier pass rushers available via trade.
FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer recently addressed Crosby's situation in a Yahoo! Sports interview, and he did not downplay the likelihood of a move.
When asked if Crosby is expected to leave Las Vegas, Glazer said, "Yeah, probably."
He added that once word surfaced about Crosby's possible availability, interest around the league was immediate and intense.
"So, the day it happened, no less than 20 teams called me and asked, 'Dude, is this real? Can we get him? What's it for?' I'm like, God, we're not there yet, but yes, it's real." Glazer said.
Maxx Crosby's time with the Raiders is most likely DONE, per @JayGlazer 👀
What kind of haul would the five-time Pro Bowler get in the trade market? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FK1EkdKXRd
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 4, 2026
Were the 49ers among those teams? It's impossible to say definitively, but it's worth noting that Glazer is close friends with San Francisco general manager John Lynch. Given the team's need for elite edge help, it would be surprising if Lynch didn't at least explore the possibility. After all, he's repeatedly stated that the 49ers look into every opportunity.
Of course, acquiring Crosby would come at a steep price. When asked about his potential trade value, Glazer said, "Probably more than Micah [Parsons]."
Last year, the Green Bay Packers acquired Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster deal that included defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round draft picks, before signing Parsons to a four-year, $188 million contract.
Adding a player of Crosby's caliber would immediately transform the 49ers' pass rush and reshape their defense. The cost would be extremely high, both in draft capital and salary commitment, but so would the impact.