The 49ers Need to Trade for Maxx Crosby to Get Over the Hump

For the past half decade now, the San Francisco 49ers have had trouble multiple times when it comes to getting over the hump of winning a Super Bowl under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Whether that is because of coach Shanahan’s late-game decision-making in big moments, the team blowing multiple ten-point leads in two Super Bowls, player drama, constant injuries, or the roster simply getting older. All these factors play a significant role.

No matter the reason or the excuse the 49ers have for their team, in the end, as a team, they are simply not getting the job done on the game’s biggest stage.

However, with the addition of San Francisco’s defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, the defense has a new identity. Now, it must be the focal point of this team.

With constant injuries to key defensive players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Mykel Williams, and many more, it is time to get some help. Especially in the defensive line, this team needs support to dominate in the NFC West.

If the rival Los Angeles Rams can trade for an All-Pro superstar like Myles Garrett, then the 49ers should be able to as well. And that superstar player needs to be Maxx Crosby.

Maxx Crosby Is A Perfect Fit

Crosby’s leadership, toughness, and all-gas mentality fit perfectly with guys like Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, and Deommodore Lenoir. In addition, these psyches are something coach Raheem Morris truly needs more of to reach Super Bowl contention.

Crosby is the kind of player who changes the temperature of a locker room, and the 49ers have been criticized for lacking a killer instinct in late-game moments.

Even with a lingering knee injury in the 2025-26 season, Crosby was still great. He recorded 73 tackles, 10 sacks, and one interception. This proves that he can still show up even when going through hardship.

The pairing of Crosby and Nick Bosa would be game-breaking. San Francisco would finally have two elite pass rushers capable of wreaking havoc inside while making the defensive backs’ jobs easier.

Nick Bosa Is Not Enough Anymore

Bosa is still a top-tier pass rusher, but he has had too many injuries. Primarily, he suffered three ACL injuries: one in college, and the other two happening in 2020, and in week 3 during last year’s season.

The 49ers’ defense has regressed in some key metrics since Bosa’s absence. This includes fewer sacks per game (2.1), a lower pass rush win rate (37.9%), and more points allowed (25.9).

Even though Bosa’s a former Defensive Player of the Year, it’s apparent that the team needs more on the d-line. The team needs a new superstar to rely on. Also, they need someone who can bring the aggression that is missing when Nick Bosa is out.

The Super Bowl Window Is Slowly Closing 

The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl contention has become tighter in recent years. This is due to a combination of increased competition in the NFC, roster turnover, and too many injury challenges.

Since 2019, the 49ers have gone to the NFC Championship Game four times and reached the Super Bowl twice. Yet, they are still without a championship.

In 2026, there are a plethora of contenders, including division rivals the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, the two big favorites to lift the Lombardi. But outside the NFC West, there are also teams with legitimate championship aspirations, including the Philadelphia Eagles and the Chicago Bears.

If the 49ers ever want to win a Super Bowl under Kyle Shanahan, they need to make a big move fast to dominate in the NFC, and Maxx Crosby is the clear move.