49ers’ annual search for Bosa pairing leads them to Floyd

The 49ers now appear to have three-quarters of their starting defensive line. A reported agreement with Leonard Floyd on the first day of the NFL's open negotiating period gives the 49ers an edge rusher opposite of Nick Bosa. Finding a pass-rush threat on the other side has been an issue for the 49ers since 2019, when Bosa was selected as the No. 2 overall pick. Dee Ford was acquired to pair with Bosa, then a rookie, but the 49ers were not able to get much out of Ford due to a chronic knee condition that led to his retirement. Arik Armstead opened as the 49ers' starting defensive end in 2020 and '21 before he moved permanently to defensive tackle. Samson Ebukam held the role as an outside pass-rusher the next two seasons before Clelin Ferrell was signed to a one-year contract last offseason. Ferrell started all 17 regular-season games but a knee injury in the finale sidelined him out of the postseason. The 49ers worked out a midseason trade for defensive end Chase Young from the Washington Commanders. Young became the team's nickel pass-rusher but he did not produce at the level the club had anticipated. Young had 2.5 sacks in nine regular season games. Ferrell and Young are...