The San Francisco 49ers are being talked about like a team that’s ready to do something before the trade deadline.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz said on a podcast that he expects an active market and singled out the 49ers as one of the teams worth watching closely. He went so far as to say he’d be “shocked” if San Francisco doesn’t make a move.
“I think we’re headed for a very active deadline,” Schultz said. “I think we can see anywhere from 12 to 20 trades-and two teams I’m watching very closely: The 49ers and the Bears.
I’ve heard both teams connected to several defensive players, including rushers Josh Sweat, Khalil Mack, and DeForest Buckner, along with some names who aren’t necessarily on the trade block. I think both Chicago and San Francisco wanna be aggressive.
I’d be shocked if they don’t make a move before the deadline.”
That tracks with the kind of addition the 49ers seem to need. They’re sitting 24th in the NFL in pressure rate, and the Falcons offered a reminder of how disruptive four-man pressure can be against Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Getting after the quarterback without blitzing is still the cleanest way to bother this group.
Schultz also mentioned the Bears as another team that could push to add help, and both clubs have high-powered offenses with Caleb Williams under center in Chicago.
As for the names linked to San Francisco, Josh Sweat would be tough to pry away from Arizona, given the division angle. There’s little reason to believe the Cardinals would help a rival by moving him.
Mack, meanwhile, has the kind of résumé that makes him an obvious deadline name. He’s in the final year of his contract, and the 35-year-old has three sacks, six tackles for loss and 14 pressures this season. In Week 4 against the Seahawks, he put together a strong showing with two tackles for loss, three pressures and a sack.
After that game, it wouldn’t have been surprising if John Lynch started making calls.
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