The San Francisco 49ers’ playoff run came to a screeching halt in the Divisional Round, courtesy of a lopsided loss to their division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. It was a bitter end to a season that had already been marred by injuries-none more significant than the losses of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, two of the franchise’s defensive cornerstones. Without their leaders on that side of the ball, the Niners’ defense simply couldn’t hold up when it mattered most.
Now, with the offseason underway, San Francisco finds itself at a crossroads. The roster is still loaded with talent, but if they want to return to the Super Bowl conversation, they may need to make a bold move-particularly on defense. And there just might be an elite edge rusher available who could change the entire complexion of their front seven.
Enter Maxx Crosby.
Crosby, the relentless pass rusher from the Las Vegas Raiders, has spent most of his career putting up elite production on underwhelming teams. But 2025 was rock bottom for the Raiders-just two wins and the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft. That kind of season tends to spark change, and in Crosby’s case, it may have pushed him to the exit.
The tension between Crosby and the Raiders became public late in the season. Despite his desire to finish the year on the field, Vegas opted to shut him down for the final two games. That decision didn’t sit well with Crosby, and according to NFL insider Jay Glazer, the writing may be on the wall.
When asked if he believes Crosby’s time in Las Vegas is over, Glazer didn’t hesitate: “I do.” And he didn’t stop there-he suggested that if the Raiders do move Crosby, the return could exceed what the Cowboys would get for Micah Parsons. That’s no small statement, especially given Parsons’ standing as one of the league’s premier defensive talents.
So what would Crosby look like in a 49ers uniform? Pairing him with a healthy Nick Bosa would instantly give San Francisco arguably the most fearsome edge duo in the NFL. It’s the kind of move that could tilt the balance of power in the NFC.
Yes, it would cost a haul. The Raiders won’t let Crosby go for cheap, and rightfully so. But for a 49ers team that’s already knocking on the door, adding another game-wrecker on the edge could be the piece that pushes them through it.
This isn’t just about stacking talent-it’s about making a statement. The Niners have been close.
They’ve built a culture, a system, and a roster that’s consistently competitive. But in a league where elite pass rushers can be the difference between a playoff exit and a Lombardi Trophy, going all-in for Crosby might be the kind of swing that championship teams make.