Feb. 4, 2026, 9:30 p.m. PT

The San Francisco 49ers need to make a splash if they’re going to get over the hump to become Super Bowl contenders in their current core’s window. It sounds like one seismic move could be available for them this offseason.

Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer told Yahoo Sports Daily he believes defensive end Maxx Crosby’s time with the Las Vegas Raiders is over and that Crosby will likely be traded before the 2026 NFL draft in April.

There aren’t many moves the 49ers should be pushing all their chips in for, but a Crosby trade would be one of them.

The 28-year-old posted 10.0 sacks in 15 games last season, and has racked 69.5 sacks in 110 games across his seven-year career as a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft.

Adding Crosby would be expensive from draft capital and financial perspectives. The Raiders would fetch at least one first-round selection for the two-time All-Pro. He also carries a cap hit north of $35 million next season, but 2026 is also the final year of guaranteed money on his deal which means an extension would likely be in the works for the acquiring team.

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Financials aside, the 49ers need more star power on defense and Crosby would instantly provide it while giving Nick Bosa a running mate that would be a nightmare for opposing offenses to deal with. It would also help accelerate Mykel Williams’ trajectory as an interior pass rusher with one of that pair on the outside of him when he kicks inside to get after the quarterback.

It’s understandable why the 49ers have played it safe with their draft picks the last couple of years while. They showed this season they’re still in the mix to compete for a Super Bowl and the 2026 draft isn’t liable to fetch the level of player they’ll need to get over the hump next season.

Adding Crosby gives their defense a ton of pop and takes some of the onus off an offense that is dealing with aging stars at left tackle, running back and tight end, while also trying to overhaul its receiving corps.

With a projected nine picks to work with in this year’s draft, the 49ers have the capital to part with a premium pick or two while still keeping enough selections to have an impactful draft that can still give them the depth they need at a handful of key positions.

Perhaps the asking price soars and becomes unreasonable, but if Crosby is on his way out of Las Vegas, the 49ers should be on the phone trying to make sure his exit lands him in Santa Clara.

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