The San Francisco 49ers came into the 2025 season with high hopes and a roster built to contend, and for the most part, they delivered. But as the dust settles on a campaign that ended earlier than expected-thanks to a divisional-round loss to the Seattle Seahawks-there’s a sense that this team is close, but not quite there yet. And now, the front office is facing some interesting decisions that could shape the trajectory of the 2026 season and beyond.
Let’s start with the quarterback situation, which had its share of drama early in the year. The 49ers brought in Mac Jones during the offseason, and for a while, there was real intrigue around whether he could push Brock Purdy for the starting job.
That storyline came to a head in Week 10, when the Los Angeles Rams dropped 42 points on Jones and the offense in a lopsided 42-26 loss. After that, the QB controversy fizzled.
Purdy took the reins, and the Niners lost just one more game the rest of the regular season. They entered the playoffs with momentum and expectations, but the postseason didn’t go as planned.
While the offense showed flashes of high-level execution-something we’ve come to expect under Kyle Shanahan-the defense was a different story. The pass rush, in particular, was a major weakness.
San Francisco managed just 20 sacks over the course of the season, a number that put them behind even the likes of the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys, two teams that struggled mightily on defense. For a franchise that has prided itself on dominant defensive fronts in recent years, that’s a glaring drop-off.
That’s where Maxx Crosby enters the conversation. The Raiders’ star edge rusher has popped up in trade rumors, with teams like the Seahawks and Bears reportedly interested.
Now, the 49ers are being mentioned as a potential suitor as well. And here’s where it gets interesting: San Francisco might be able to leverage Mac Jones to make something happen.
Jones, despite losing the QB battle, remains a valuable asset. He went 5-3 as a starter in 2025, throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
It was a bounce-back season after a rocky stint in New England, and under Shanahan’s system, Jones looked confident and composed. He’s not just a capable backup-he’s a potential starter for a team in need, and his trade value reflects that.
According to reporting from January 26, the 49ers haven’t been openly shopping Jones. In fact, both GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed hesitant to entertain the idea of moving him.
But that could be more about timing and leverage than any long-term commitment. If a team comes calling with a third-round pick-or better-it might be tough to say no.
Especially if those assets could be flipped for a proven difference-maker like Crosby.
San Francisco got a close-up look at Crosby during joint practices last summer, and the coaching staff reportedly came away impressed. He’d instantly upgrade a pass rush that desperately needs juice. The idea of pairing Crosby with Nick Bosa on the edge is the kind of move that could swing games-and seasons.
Teams like the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, and Indianapolis Colts are all in the market for quarterback help and could be eyeing Jones as a low-risk, high-upside addition. If one of them is willing to part with a mid-round pick, the 49ers could find themselves with the draft capital to make a serious push for Crosby-or at the very least, address other needs on defense.
The 49ers still have a competitive window open. The core of this team-Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Fred Warner-is built to win now.
But if they want to take the next step and get over the hump in January, shoring up the defense, especially up front, has to be a priority. Moving Mac Jones might not be the easiest decision, but if it helps land a game-changer like Crosby, it could be the kind of bold move that turns a playoff team into a Super Bowl contender.