If there’s one area the San Francisco 49ers can’t afford to ignore this offseason, it’s the edge rush. Nick Bosa is still a force - a game-wrecker in every sense - but beyond him, the depth chart gets thin fast. The Niners’ defensive front has long been a cornerstone of their identity, but with aging veterans, injuries, and some key departures looming, the urgency to reload is real.
Enter Maxx Crosby.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers are expected to have serious interest in the Las Vegas Raiders’ star edge rusher if he becomes available via trade. And they’re not alone - Fowler notes that as many as 20 teams could inquire, with the 49ers sitting among the top-tier contenders alongside the Bills, Lions, Cowboys, and Ravens.
Let’s be clear: Crosby isn’t just another name on the trade block. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler with 69.5 career sacks over seven seasons - a relentless motor who’s made a living in opposing backfields.
He’s earned second-team All-Pro honors twice, and while he may not always be mentioned in the same breath as the league’s top sack leaders, his impact is undeniable. He disrupts game plans, plain and simple.
For the 49ers, adding Crosby to a line that already features Bosa would be a seismic move. It’s not hyperbole to say that pairing those two would instantly form the most fearsome pass-rushing duo in the league. Offensive coordinators would be up late figuring out how to slow down one, let alone both.
But big moves come with big price tags. Think Micah Parsons-level compensation - multiple first-round picks and a quality player - and you’re in the ballpark. That’s the kind of capital it would take to pry Crosby away from the Raiders.
The question is: are the 49ers willing to go all-in?
Given the current window, it might be the right time. Key veterans like Trent Williams, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey aren’t getting any younger.
There’s no telling how long this core will remain intact. Making a bold move now - especially one that could tilt the balance of power on defense - would send a clear message: the Niners are going for it.
There’s no guarantee a deal gets done. But the fact that San Francisco is being mentioned prominently in connection with Crosby is telling.
They know what’s at stake. And if the Raiders are even remotely open to moving their defensive centerpiece, the 49ers will be in that conversation until the very end.
Bottom line: keep a close eye on this one. Crosby’s market could heat up fast, and if the 49ers are serious - and all signs point to that being the case - this could be one of the splashiest moves of the offseason.