The San Francisco 49ers watched the Los Angeles Rams acquire Myles Garrett this offseason and add him to a defensive front that already included Byron Young, Braden Fiske, and Kobie Turner. That left the 49ers searching for their own counterpunch, and Maxx Crosby remains the top name on their list.
Interest in Maxx Crosby Intensifies
NFL insider Hondo Carpenter spoke candidly on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast: 'I am telling you there is a lot of interest in Maxx Crosby. Two teams specifically are nuclear hot: the Eagles and the 49ers.'
Why the 49ers Want Maxx Crosby
The math is simple. San Francisco finished dead last in the league with just 20 sacks in 2025, and Nick Bosa is still recovering from a second ACL tear. Pairing Crosby with Bosa would give Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch the dominant defensive front they have lacked for years. Crosby, 28, is under contract through 2029 and has recorded 69.5 career sacks, reaching double digits in three of the last four seasons. That kind of production is rare, especially for a team desperate to fix its pass rush.
This is not the first time Crosby's name has been linked to San Francisco. He nearly left Las Vegas for Baltimore earlier this offseason but failed a physical after knee surgery, sending him back to the Raiders. That saga proved two things: Vegas is willing to move him for the right price, and interested teams are wary of his health. The Raiders reportedly want at least two first-round picks, though some reporting suggests San Francisco might acquire him with fewer premium picks given his age and injury history.
Will the 49ers Make a Move?
Not yet, and probably not soon. Albert Breer said he likes the idea for San Francisco but wants to see how the first several weeks of the season unfold before any draft capital is committed. Raiders GM John Spytek has publicly stated he expects Crosby to stay, even as reports suggest Crosby is unhappy behind the scenes. The realistic scenario: if Las Vegas struggles early and San Francisco excels, Lynch will pick up the phone. Until then, this remains a watch-and-wait situation rather than active negotiation.
About the Author
Prantik Prabal Roy is a passionate sports writer who has been in the content writing industry since 2020 after completing his Master's degree in English literature. He has covered the NFL since 2024 with sharp insights, while also diving into the NHL and MLB with equal enthusiasm. He crafts content that drives traffic without sacrificing quality, blending storytelling with analysis.
