The San Francisco 49ers have been floated as a possible landing spot in a new blockbuster trade prediction involving Maxx Crosby, and the idea fits with the kind of move contenders keep in the back of their minds as the NFL trade market develops.
Bleacher Report recently projected Crosby as the next major player to be dealt, even though he remains with the Las Vegas Raiders after a trade was rescinded. In that scenario, San Francisco was named as one of the teams that could make sense if the price is right.
“Of course, just because Crosby said there are no hard feelings doesn't mean there aren't any. He will turn 29 in August and knows the Raiders are at least a year or two away from contending.
There are multiple contenders who could use the services of an elite edge-rusher who just logged 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. And Crosby is easily the most valuable trade chip Las Vegas has.
Crosby may not be publicly demanding a trade yet, but he wouldn't be annoyed if he wound up in, say, San Francisco. And that demand may yet come, especially if the Raiders struggle in 2026,” Gary Davenport of BR wrote.
For the 49ers, the fit is easy to understand. Their defense has been hit by injuries over the past few years, and a player like Crosby would be a major addition if they are in position to buy at the deadline.
The other side of that equation matters, too. If San Francisco is still dealing with injury problems of its own, it probably makes more sense to avoid giving up a pile of assets for a player who would come at a steep cost.
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The 49ers are heading toward 2026 with a rare bit of financial breathing room, sitting on nearly $72 million in available salary cap space and planning to roll some of it over because of the way several contracts are structured. In that kind of setup, the margins matter, and one of the clearest wins on the roster comes from Mike McKivitz, whose play has outpaced his price tag and made him look like a true bargain for a team that has spent plenty elsewhere.
The tougher side of the ledger is Brandon Aiyuk, whose deal has become the kind of cap issue teams try to avoid. If the 49ers decide to move on, they would not be getting much return from the contract itself, which is why his situation stands out as the roster's biggest financial headache even with all that projected space. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Already Have Their Reason For Passing On Maxx Crosby
The Maxx Crosby chatter has lingered around the 49ers for weeks, but by mid-July there still had been no move, and there may be a simpler explanation than cap gymnastics or trade-package debate. Former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been talking up Alfred Collins, saying the young lineman has made real strides and brings the kind of work ethic that can turn a promising interior piece into a problem for offenses, which is the sort of internal development San Francisco has increasingly valued.
That matters because the 49ers appear to be building their front seven with patience, not urgency, and Collins is part of a broader group the team wants to grow into bigger roles. Along with Mykel Williams and C.J. West, he fits a long-view plan that points toward 2026 and away from another blockbuster swing, especially for a team that has learned plenty from past trade decisions and seems content to let its own young defenders answer the biggest questions first. [Read more 🡒]