The 49ers’ pass rush wasn’t nearly disruptive enough in 2025, and that has kept edge help squarely on the radar as San Francisco heads toward 2026.
Nick Bosa and first-round pick Mykel Williams are both coming back from torn ACLs, but the 49ers still have reason to keep adding bodies up front. They’ve got plenty of cap space to work with, and Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox recently pointed to a familiar veteran as the best fit: linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
"The 49ers recorded just 20 sacks last season, and they have Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams both recovering from season-ending injuries," Knox wrote. "While both could be back early in the season-and the team added Romello Height in Round 3-San Francisco is a playoff contender that shouldn't take chances with its edge rush."
Van Noy is 35 now, but he’s built a long resume since the Jets took him in the second round out of BYU in 2014. He has also spent time with the Detroit Lions, new England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.
Across 173 career games, Van Noy has piled up 561 tackles, including 74 for a loss, along with 102 quarterback hits, 57 sacks, 39 passes defensed, 14 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He’s a one-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl winner, both of those titles coming with the Patriots.
His 2025 season with Baltimore was quieter than usual. Van Noy finished with two sacks in 15 games, his lowest total since 2016. Even so, he could still bring value to San Francisco in a rotational role alongside Bosa, Williams, Height, Keion White and Sam Okuayinonu.
In Other News...
Deebo Samuel Just Got Linked To A Brutal NFC West Return
Deebo Samuel is already a familiar name around the NFC West, but the next chapter of his career could keep him in the division in a way 49ers fans would not love. After spending time with Washington and then San Francisco, the former Pro Bowl wideout is now being mentioned as a possible fit for a Rams offense that could use another proven target behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.
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 🡒]
Purdy And Kittle Just Entered Rare 49ers History
Brock Purdy and George Kittle have become one of the most efficient quarterback-tight end combinations the league has seen, and the numbers now back up what has been obvious on Sundays for a while. Per Pro Football Focus, the 49ers duo sits fourth all-time among qualifying pairings in expected points added per play, and over the last four seasons Purdy has leaned on Kittle as a true centerpiece of the passing game.
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
Training camp usually sorts out depth charts, but for the 49ers, a few of the most important decisions are already taking shape before the pads even come on. Left guard is one of the cleaner competitions, with Connor Colby entering as the favorite and Carver Willis and Robert Jones trying to force their way into the picture. It is the kind of battle that can quietly matter a lot in Kyle Shanahans offense, where one spot on the interior can affect everything from protection to run-game timing.
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 🡒]