Will the 49ers actually make a push for All-Pro EDGE Maxx Crosby?
Few offseason ideas are more exciting for 49ers fans than the thought of Maxx Crosby wearing red and gold.
Pairing the Raiders’ relentless star with Nick Bosa would instantly give San Francisco the most intimidating edge-rushing tandem in football.
Still, while the concept is thrilling, the reality of pulling off such a blockbuster remains complicated.
Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard recently addressed the possibility, stressing that the move is far from impossible, but far from easy.
Kawakami noted that if Las Vegas were to shop Crosby seriously, the football logic for San Francisco would be clear. “If the 49ers are ready to spend more money than they did last offseason, adding Crosby… would make a ton of sense,” he wrote on December 30.
The problem is that the organization may not be eager to change its recent financial approach.
Over the past year, the 49ers have focused on getting younger and more cost-efficient, a strategy that’s paid dividends.
According to Kawakami, team sources have indicated a strong desire to stay on that path. There’s also lingering hesitation from previous big swings.
San Francisco’s decision to go all-in for Javon Hargrave a few years ago didn’t produce the desired impact.
That experience has reportedly made management cautious about repeating a similar high-cost gamble.
Then there’s the money. Crosby is under contract through 2029 with an average annual value of $35.5 million, a significant commitment for any team, especially one already carrying massive cap figures.
Kawakami pointed out that the 49ers must also address looming financial decisions for stars like Trent Williams, who carries a $38.9 million cap hit next season, and Nick Bosa, whose cap number exceeds $42 million.
While San Francisco did free up about $24 million by moving on from Brandon Aiyuk and cleared salary space last March, that flexibility may be needed elsewhere.
From a performance standpoint, Crosby is everything a team could want. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2025 and has been named a second-team All-Pro twice.
Through seven seasons, he’s totaled roughly 69.5 sacks and has never had a down year. This season alone, Crosby posted 73 tackles, 10 sacks, an interception, multiple forced fumbles, and six passes defended.
In a Robert Saleh–coached defense, his impact alongside Bosa would be devastating.
Kawakami did leave room for circumstances to shift. A disappointing playoff exit, uncertainty in the draft, or Crosby pushing for a move to Santa Clara could all influence the front office’s thinking.
Still, any trade would also require substantial draft compensation, adding another layer of difficulty.
For now, the Crosby scenario feels more like a fascinating “what if” than an impending move.
The 49ers are winning games, managing injuries, and eyeing long-term flexibility, but with an NFC West title on the line this weekend against Seattle, and the offseason looming, it’s a storyline worth monitoring closely.