The San Francisco 49ers are staring down a harsh truth: the defensive identity that once defined their championship-caliber teams is slipping away. Through eight games, the Niners have just nine sacks to their name-good for dead last in the NFL in pressure rate at 21.3%. That’s not just a slump; that’s a full-blown red alert for a defense built to dominate up front.

The loss of Nick Bosa to a season-ending ACL tear has exposed just how much the 49ers leaned on his game-wrecking presence. Without him, the pass rush has lost its bite.

Rookie Mykel Williams, a first-round pick with plenty of upside, is still learning the ropes at the pro level. He’s flashed potential, but he’s not ready to anchor a front four on his own.

And in a season where the margins are razor-thin, San Francisco can’t afford to wait.

Meanwhile, up in Las Vegas, the Raiders are trudging through another forgettable season. At 2-5, the team is underwhelming in just about every phase.

Despite offseason investments on defense, they’re giving up more points per game than they did last year. And with the trade deadline fast approaching, GM John Spytek is facing a franchise-defining decision: keep All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby as the face of the rebuild, or move him now for a haul that could reshape the future.

Crosby has reportedly made it clear he wants to stay in Vegas. Loyalty like that is rare in today’s NFL.

But even the most loyal players understand the business side of the game. And if the right offer comes along-one that positions the Raiders to build a competitive roster around a new core-it might be too good to pass up.

Enter the 49ers, a team whose Super Bowl window is still cracked open, but only just. Christian McCaffrey is battling injuries.

Trent Williams will turn 37 next summer. Fred Warner is now sidelined, joining Bosa on the injury report.

The core that carried this team to the brink of a title is aging, and the defense that once carried them is now leaking oil.

Crosby could change that overnight.

At 28, he’s in his prime and playing some of the best football of his career. Through seven games, he’s already racked up 4 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 18 solo tackles-on a struggling Raiders team, no less.

Since entering the league in 2019, he’s posted 63.6 sacks, 153 QB hits, and 115 tackles for loss. He’s not just a pass rusher-he’s a complete defensive end who can play every down and thrive in any scheme.

He’s exactly the kind of player Robert Saleh’s system was built around.

Financially, the deal makes sense for San Francisco. Crosby’s contract would cost the 49ers about $20.3 million for the rest of 2025, with cap hits of $35.88 million in 2026, $29.78 million in 2027, and $27.28 million in 2028. Those are big numbers, but for a team in win-now mode, they’re manageable-especially when you’re getting elite production in return.

For the Raiders, this is about looking beyond the next Sunday. The team ranks 27th in offensive efficiency and 24th on defense.

They’re on pace to turn the ball over more, punt more, throw fewer touchdowns, and convert fewer third downs than they did last season. Even with Crosby playing at an All-Pro level, the team is trending toward another top-five draft pick.

And here’s the reality: one elite edge rusher, no matter how dominant, can’t single-handedly lift a roster this flawed. Crosby deserves more than another 4-13 finish. The Raiders need pieces-multiple pieces-to build something sustainable.

Recent trades have set the market. Just last month, the Packers gave up two first-round picks and Kenny Clark to land Micah Parsons.

Crosby’s a couple years older, but he’s every bit as impactful. League insiders believe it would take a similar package to pry him loose.

That brings us to the proposed deal: San Francisco sends two first-round picks, a 2026 third-rounder, and two promising young defenders-Collins and Martin-to Las Vegas in exchange for Crosby.

For the 49ers, this is a no-brainer. They keep their 2025 draft capital intact, giving them flexibility in case they need to make a move at quarterback next offseason.

Crosby immediately elevates the entire defensive front, giving Williams room to develop and taking pressure off the rest of the unit. He’s the kind of player who changes game plans-and playoff outcomes.

For the Raiders, the return is substantial. Two first-round picks give them foundational pieces for 2026 and 2027.

The third-rounder adds depth in the sweet spot of the draft, where smart teams find value. And then there’s the player package: Collins, a second-round pick this year, brings a massive frame, long arms, and the ability to plug gaps inside.

Martin, a linebacker out of Oklahoma State, led the Big 12 in tackles in 2023 and brings the range and athleticism to thrive in today’s pass-heavy NFL. Both are on rookie deals, both can contribute right away, and both fit the timeline of a team looking to grow.

This is a rare trade that checks every box. The 49ers get the defensive anchor they desperately need without gutting their roster or mortgaging their future.

The Raiders get a king’s ransom that accelerates their rebuild and gives them a chance to reset the franchise around a new core. And Crosby?

He gets the shot at a ring that his relentless play has more than earned.

With the deadline looming and both teams heading in opposite directions, this deal makes too much sense to ignore. San Francisco gets back to chasing trophies.

Las Vegas starts building something real. And Maxx Crosby finally gets the stage he deserves.