The San Francisco 49ers will get an early test of how they stack up against one of the NFL's best teams when they face the Los Angeles Rams to open the 2026 season in Melbourne, Australia.
The Rams enter the season as Super Bowl LXI favorites, making the Week 1 NFC West showdown an important early measuring stick for the 49ers.
San Francisco is already in Australia, getting an early start on preparations for the matchup. The Rams are scheduled to arrive next week.
The 49ers have already lost one of their key pass-rush depth options, as defensive end Sam Okuayinonu has been ruled out for Week 1 and remained behind in Santa Clara. Meanwhile, star pass rusher Nick Bosa is returning from an ACL injury, leaving some uncertainty about how effective he will be early in the season, although he is expected to play.
San Francisco has long been linked to virtually any notable pass rusher who could become available, whether through free agency or a trade. One name that continues to generate discussion is Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, who was nearly traded to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
Baltimore reportedly agreed to send two first-round draft picks to the Raiders for Crosby, but the Ravens backed out of the deal at the last minute after raising concerns about his knee.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger joined Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game this week and was asked whether the 49ers should make a push to acquire Crosby. He didn't hesitate with his answer.
"You're in an arms race with the Rams right now," Baldinger explained, per Athlon Sports. "This is like a military arms race trying to keep up. I don't know that Maxx Crosby is available or could be had; I have no idea. All I know is I was at the Sack Summit out in Las Vegas a month ago, and nobody could beat him off the line of scrimmage.
"Everybody challenged him — (Jared) Verse, pick a guy that was out there — nobody could beat him off the ball. Nobody. He won, and they had an open competition, Maxx — I got it on video — he beat everybody off the ball."
Crosby recorded 10 sacks for the Raiders last season and has reached double-digit sacks in three of his last four seasons. He enters the 2026 season with 69.5 career sacks.
Adding Crosby would give the 49ers a potentially devastating pass-rushing duo with Bosa. San Francisco's defensive front recorded an NFL-low 20 sacks in 2025, underscoring the need for more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Crosby, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection, is entering his eighth NFL season after recently turning 29.
Baldinger also pushed back on concerns surrounding Crosby's knee and explained why he believes the veteran pass rusher would immediately make an impact in San Francisco.
"I know Baltimore basically said that his knee is shot," Baldinger said. "I don't see it ... I feel like if you had a chance to get Maxx Crosby, he becomes your best defensive player immediately. It's infectious, the way that he plays the game, the way that he practices.
"[Kyle] Shanahan's not going to beat him in the building. On any given day, he'll beat everybody in the building. I've known Maxx a long time, but honestly, he's got the Michael Jordan mentality. He wants to be the best that's ever done it."
Whether Crosby is actually available remains the biggest question. If he's not, the Raiders' mindset could change if they struggle to win this season. Baldinger clearly believes San Francisco should be aggressive in its pursuit of a premier pass rusher.
More info on: Nick Bosa, Sam Okuayinonu
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