The 49ers may be staring at a familiar kind of problem: a roster built to contend, but not quite enough firepower in a loaded division. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon sees San Francisco making a splash this summer, and he’s not talking about a small move.
Gagnon is predicting the 49ers will swing a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for Maxx Crosby during training camp.
“San Francisco 49ers acquire Maxx Crosby from Las Vegas,” Gagnon predicts. "... That being the case, look for a desperate veteran team in win-now mode to make a splash move for Maxx Crosby this summer."
It’s a bold call, but the logic is easy to follow. The 49ers are still viewed as a Super Bowl contender, yet they’re likely sitting third in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
One team is the defending Super Bowl champion. The other just went all-in with massive blockbuster trades.
If San Francisco wants to keep pace, adding another edge threat would go a long way.
That’s where Crosby comes in. The five-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire career with the Raiders and has piled up 69.5 sacks, including 10 last season. He also owns two second-team All-Pro selections, along with 133 tackles for loss and 164 quarterback hits.
San Francisco’s need is obvious. Nick Bosa is coming back, and Mykel Williams is as well, but the rest of the edge group - Keion White, Sam Okuayinonu, Romello Heigh, and others - doesn’t exactly scream enough to handle what the 49ers are facing in the NFC West.
Crosby was nearly dealt to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks this offseason before the Ravens backed out because of medical concerns. That could make a deal more manageable for the 49ers, though it would still likely cost a first-round pick and more.
If the 49ers could pull it off, the payoff would be massive. Pairing Bosa and Crosby off the edge could transform a pass rush that was terrible last season into one of the league’s best in 2026.
It’s still a prediction, not a done deal. But it’s one that fits the situation: a win-now team with a glaring need and a star pass rusher who may be available.
In Other News...
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The appeal is easy to see from Los Angeles side, with the current depth chart still leaving room for a veteran receiver who can stabilize the middle of the lineup. Samuels recent production suggests he still has enough left to matter, and the idea of him landing on a short-term deal only adds to the intrigue as the Rams weigh whether to make a move that would hit close to home in the division. [Read more 🡒]
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From 2022 through 2025, Purdy targeted Kittle 269 times and got big-play production in return, with the connection driving both yardage and touchdowns at a level that has helped define San Franciscos offense. Even in 2025, the link stayed among the leagues best at the position, which is why the 49ers can feel good about how central Kittle has been to Purdys rise, even if the next chapter of that partnership still comes with some uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]
Three 49ers Camp Battles Could Shape Shanahans Season
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The secondary has its own set of questions, and those could be just as revealing. Renardo Green is facing real pressure at cornerback from Jack Jones and rookie Ephysians Prysock, while at safety Malik Mustapha appears set, leaving JiAyir Brown, Marques Sigle and Ashtyn Davis to sort out the other starting role. With so much competition clustered in a few spots, camp will not just determine who starts, but how much flexibility the 49ers have when the season begins. [Read more 🡒]