Forget splashy reunions. Bradley Chubb offers the 49ers a realistic, high-upside pass-rush upgrade to bolster their championship window.
Offensively, they need speed at wide receiver and reinforcements along the offensive line. Defensively, safety remains unsettled, and the defensive line still lacks consistent depth behind Nick Bosa. George Kittle is targeting a Week 1 return, but that timeline feels optimistic, which means adding a pass catching tight end also wouldn’t be surprising. And then there’s the long term concerns: how much does Christian McCaffrey have left, and can Jordan James realistically step into that role if needed? How much does Kittle have left, and can Jake Tonges realistically step into that role if needed? How much does Trent Williams have left, and realistically who is going to step into that role if needed?
With so many needs, the real debate isn’t just who to add. Do those answers come in the draft or free agency?
While some outlets have floated Joey Bosa as the splash free-agent target, a reunion feels more like a headline than a realistic plan. His market will be competitive, and even if the idea of pairing the Bosa brothers is compelling, the financial side likely pushes that scenario out of reach.
If the 49ers are serious about upgrading their pass rush without stretching their cap flexibility, Bradley Chubb should be the name at the top of their board.
Recently released by the Miami Dolphins, Chubb immediately becomes one of the most intriguing edge options available. He was the first defensive end selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, going No. 5 overall to the Denver Broncos. He entered the league as a premier pass-rushing prospect and has largely validated that billing when healthy.
Over his career, Chubb has totaled 50+ sacks, including a 12-sack Pro Bowl season early in his tenure. Even after being traded to Miami, he remained productive, showing versatility as both a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end and a stand-up edge in multiple fronts. His ability to generate pressure, not just finish sacks, is what stands out. He consistently creates disruption which is something San Francisco desperately needs opposite Nick Bosa.
The 49ers’ pass rush struggled to close games in 2025. Quarterbacks too often had clean pockets late in critical moments, particularly against physical teams like the Seattle Seahawks. Adding Chubb wouldn’t just provide depth, it would restore the fear factor up front.
Unlike the Joey Bosa dream, Chubb represents a realistic solution. He won’t come cheap, but he won’t command the kind of contract that reshapes your entire cap sheet either. For a team trying to maximize a championship window without mortgaging the future, that balance is critical.
The 49ers have plenty of holes to fill. But if improving the defensive line is priority number one, Bradley Chubb is the type of calculated, high-upside swing that makes far more sense than chasing an unlikely reunion.