The San Francisco 49ers’ 2025 season came to a crashing halt in the divisional round, and not in the way anyone in the Bay Area had envisioned. After battling through a regular season riddled with injuries, they still managed to claw their way into the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 6 seed.
A hard-fought win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round gave fans hope, but that momentum was short-lived. The trip to Seattle ended in a 41-6 dismantling at the hands of the Seahawks - a loss that not only ended their season, but also reignited questions about where this roster needs reinforcements.
One area that’s drawing attention? The edge rush.
Nick Bosa, one of the league’s premier defensive ends, missed a significant chunk of the season after tearing his ACL - a brutal blow to a defense that thrives on pressure. And while Bosa’s talent is undeniable, his injury history is beginning to raise concerns about how much the 49ers can lean on him as their lone elite pass-rushing threat. That’s why the idea of pairing him with another top-tier edge rusher is gaining traction - and one name making the rounds is Maxx Crosby.
Crosby, the relentless motor behind the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive front, is reportedly a potential trade target. According to projections, it might take a first- and second-round pick to pry him away. That’s a steep price, but when you’re talking about one of the NFL’s most disruptive pass rushers, it’s the kind of move that could reshape a defense overnight.
To put it in perspective: just last offseason, Green Bay gave up two first-rounders and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to land Micah Parsons. Parsons was 26 at the time.
Crosby is heading into his age-29 season in 2026 - a bit older, sure, but still very much in his prime. And while he’s under contract through 2029, only $30 million in guarantees remain, all of which hit in 2026.
Translation: a team trading for Crosby would likely be looking to lock him into a new extension sooner rather than later.
But the situation in Las Vegas is complicated. Crosby was shut down late in the 2025 season due to a knee injury, and the fallout wasn’t exactly quiet.
After learning he wouldn’t be finishing the season, he reportedly stormed out of the Raiders’ facility - a moment that sparked the current wave of trade speculation. Whether that was frustration, a message, or something more, it’s clear that the relationship between Crosby and the Raiders may be entering a new phase.
For the 49ers, this could be an opportunity. With a roster that’s built to win now and a defense that thrives when it can pressure quarterbacks with just four, adding someone like Crosby could be the missing piece.
He’s not just a sack artist - he’s a tone-setter, a player who brings energy, intensity, and leadership every snap. And with Bosa coming off another major injury, having a second elite edge rusher could be the difference between another playoff letdown and a Super Bowl run.
Yes, the price tag would be hefty. But championship windows don’t stay open forever. And if San Francisco believes Crosby can help kick that door down, it might just be time to make a bold move.