After finishing 24th in the NFL in sacks this season, it’s clear the San Francisco 49ers desperately need to upgrade their pass-rush this offseason. And while some promising players will potentially be available on the free-agent market in a month – Khalil Mack, Haason Reddick, Matthew Judon, DeMarcus Lawrence, Josh Sweat, Chase Young – the kind of game-wrecking pass-rusher San Francisco needs to make another Super Bowl run will likely have to come via trade or the NFL draft.

Enter the Pittsburgh Steelers, who Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox thinks could help out the 49ers with one of their needs and also fill a couple needs of their own. In a recent trade proposal, Knox suggested the Steelers ship seven-time Pro Bowler and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt to the San Francisco 49ers for Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Jordan Mason, and second-round picks in 2025 and 2026.

“If the Steelers can’t sort out a new contract, they could expect a massive return for the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year candidate,” Knox wrote. “In this scenario, they could flip him for some much-needed offensive help and valuable draft capital. “Pittsburgh needs offensive help after ranking just 23rd in yards last season. … San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel may be viewed as expendable. San Francisco extended Brandon Aiyuk last offseason, used a first-round pick on Ricky Pearsall and saw Jauan Jennings emerge as a high-volume target. The Steelers need a dependable receiver opposite George Pickens in their lineup.

“… While that would be a lot for the 49ers to give up, it would give them the elite edge-rushing complement to Nick Bosa that the defense has long lacked. San Francisco is hoping that a healthier roster can put it back in the Super Bowl conversation in 2025. However, bolstering the league’s 29th-ranked scoring defense is a must.” Though Knox’s trade proposal is a bit farfetched (the 49ers would likely have to include more to get the Steelers to even entertain the idea of trading Watt), it would address glaring areas of need for both teams.

Adding Watt, who led the Steelers with 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this year, would give the 49ers arguably the best 1-2 punch at pass-rusher in the NFL along with Nick Bosa, who racked up nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. It would also give the Steelers an All-Pro option opposite George Pickens at arguably the team’s biggest area of need. San Francisco and Pittsburgh nearly executed an offseason trade for WR Brandon Aiyuk, but he pulled the plug on the deal and re-signed with the 49ers at the last minute.

The Steelers’ second-leading receiver this season, Calvin Austin III, had just 36 catches, 548 yards and only four touchdowns. Adding Samuel would give either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields (whichever QB the team decides to bring back) two legit pass-catching threats.