After three straight deep postseason runs, the San Francisco 49ers took a significant step back last season, finishing 6-11 and last in the NFC West. While injuries took a toll on the team on both sides of the ball, the defensive regression was particularly concerning. The team that finished in the top three for the past two seasons, allowed the fourth-most points of any defensive unit in the league.
The decline came across the board in all defensive metrics. The 49ers ranked in the bottom-ten in sacks and were graded as the 18th-best pass-rushing unit in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
That is why many Niners fans are hoping for upgrades in the pass-rush rotation. Leonard Floyd started opposite Nick Bosa all season but was a disappointment. With Joey Bosa potentially becoming available and Myles Garrett officially requesting a trade, the Niners could be on the market for a high-profile defensive end.
In fact, one star pass rusher fueled the speculation with his latest social media post.
Spent 48 Hours In The Bay This Weekend. Easily One Of The Best Experiences I’ve Had So Far As A Professional. The Amount Of Love Yall Showed For This 4th Rounder From Eastern Michigan Was Humbling. I Was Just A Young Kid Chasing My Dreams & Trying To Figure It Out When I First…
— Maxx Crosby (@CrosbyMaxx) February 17, 2025
Maxx Crosby Fuels 49ers Speculation With Latest Social Media Post
Maxx Crosby, who was in the Bay Area for the weekend, raved about the time he had, raising eyebrows among Niners fans who hope to see him in San Francisco.
Crosby spent his rookie season in Oakland before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas before his second season in the league. He thanked the fans who welcomed him as a fourth-round pick and said the "town will forever hold a special in [his] heart."
The Raiders star is officially not on the trade block. There have been reports about his desire to stay with the Raiders after the increased involvement of Tom Brady and the hiring of Pete Carroll. At the same time, Crosby has one winning season since reaching the NFL. There could easily be a scenario in which he would ask to be traded like Garrett in Cleveland.
The 49ers will almost certainly look for an upgrade in the pass-rush rotation. Which direction they will go with it, however, remains to be seen.