The 49ers’ 2025 season took a gut punch early when All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa went down with a torn ACL in Week 3 against Arizona. It wasn’t just a loss – it was the loss.
Bosa isn’t just part of the Niners’ pass rush; he’s the engine that makes it roar. Losing him meant San Francisco suddenly found itself with a glaring hole on the defensive front and a big question ahead: How do you replace a game-wrecker?
Naturally, eyes turned toward general manager John Lynch. Would he dip into the trade market to fill the void Bosa left?
The buzz started immediately, with names like All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson floating to the top of the rumor pile. Hendrickson’s unresolved contract issues with the Bengals from the previous offseason only added fuel to the speculation.
But let’s be real – pulling off a major trade in late September is never easy. It’s too early in the NFL calendar.
Most teams, even those off to shaky starts, still believe the season is salvageable and aren’t ready to part ways with top-tier talent. Becoming a seller typically happens in the final week or two leading up to the trade deadline – and we’re just now entering that window.
What makes the 49ers situation even more interesting is that they kept winning – and winning without Bosa. That’s what changes the equation.
After a thrilling Week 5 overtime win against the Rams, San Francisco moved to 4-1 on the season. No rushing touchdowns.
No interceptions. A lineup packed with backups and next-men-up.
And yet, they’re stacking wins. That’s when a team starts “earning the right,” as Lynch put it, to make a move.
In a recent conversation on NBC Sports Bay Area’s 49ers Talk Podcast, Lynch opened up about what could trigger a trade for this team – and when.
“You’ve got to earn the right,” Lynch said. “It’s probably talked about more in baseball: Do you earn the right to motivate people to go acquire people? So that means we’ve got to keep playing good football, so [a new player] could be the guy who makes a difference.”
That line is more than GM-speak. It gives real insight into how the Niners evaluate midseason opportunities.
They’re not just being aggressive for the sake of it. The front office needs to be convinced this team is worth the extra push – that they’re still a contender even without No. 97 terrorizing quarterbacks off the edge.
And so far? They’re making a pretty strong case.
It’s also worth noting that Lynch has never shied away from bold, in-season moves. The Christian McCaffrey coup in 2022 was a masterstroke, turning a potent offense into a nightmare matchup across all four quarters. That deal cost San Francisco several high picks – but the return was immediate, and the team didn’t regret it.
Sure, the front office would prefer to hold onto those picks and build through affordable, cost-controlled rookies, especially after shedding big salaries over the offseason. But if the right target is out there – someone who can help patch the Bosa-sized hole up front and elevate this defense down the stretch – expect Lynch to pick up the phone.
The clock is ticking ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on Tuesday, November 4. With San Francisco playing through early-season adversity and still banking Ws, the 49ers may have done more than keep pace – they might have earned their shot to take another big swing.
