Once again, injuries might derail the San Francisco 49ers' once-promising season. They've lost superstar pass-rusher Nick Bosa again, due to a season-ending ACL injury.
The Niners got off to a good start to the campaign, but they can't rest on their laurels. With that in mind, general manager John Lynch just confirmed that they will keep an eye on the market for a potential replacement.
49ers Could Trade For a Pass Rusher
"Of course," Lynch said on KNBR. "We're always looking. Prior to Nick getting hurt, we're always—that's our job; it's to look at the market and see who might become available. Our history shows, when you've got guys like Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and the list goes on and on of players we've acquired via trade, that we're not afraid, and we've been effective in doing that. So this is no different."
Even so, that doesn't necessarily mean they will go out of their way to force a trade. As great a player as the former Defensive Player of the Year is, Lynch has the utmost confidence in their current corps of pass-rushers.
Still, Lynch emphasized that the 49ers are not desperate to add outside help. The team remains confident in its current group of pass rushers, including first-round draft pick Mykel Williams and veteran Bryce Huff, who was acquired via trade earlier this year.
"I do think we're a deep group there, and that depth is going to be tested," Lynch explained. "I think we're all aware that finding someone who just goes and does what Nick Bosa does, that's not very feasible, but we'll see what's out there at the appropriate time. But right now, we're going to rely on the guys we have, and we believe in our group."
With Bosa on the shelf, the Niners will turn to first-round rookie Mykel Williams, Bryce Huff, Sam Okuayinonu, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Robert Beal for pass-rushing duties.
Of course, there's no such thing as replacing a player of Bosa's caliber. Even when he's not at his best, he opens things up for everybody else because of all the attention he demands. Also, there aren't many high-end options available at this point in the season.
But if the Niners were to consider that route, they could target a former starterl ike Azeez Ojulari, who's not playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. They could also take a look at Miami Dolphins star Jaelan Phillips, who's in the final year of his contract. If not, free agents like Shaquill Barrett and Yannick Ngakoue could still have some juice left in the tank.