Just about everyone agrees that the San Francisco 49ers‘ biggest need right now is pass-rushing help. Whenever they have competed for the Super Bowl championship or at least reached the NFC Championship Game during the Kyle Shanahan era, they have done so with defense, and their defense has been on vacation for much of the last two years.
Potential big-name targets have been discussed for them, including Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby and the Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson. But Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested that the Niners go after an under-the-radar option to upgrade their pass rush — Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig.
The trade he suggested would be mutually helpful for both teams. In this deal, San Francisco would send backup quarterback Mac Jones, who is coming off a resurgent season, to Pittsburgh while also receiving a sixth-round pick in this April’s NFL draft. Pittsburgh, of course, could lose QB1 Aaron Rodgers to retirement, and Jones could, at worst, be a solid bridge to their next franchise signal-caller.
“The 49ers had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last season,” Ballentine wrote. “The Steelers could need a quarterback if Aaron Rodgers decides not to return for the 2026 season.
“Let’s make a deal.
“Jones is worth more to another team than he is to the Niners at this point. His 5-3 run as the starter during Brock Purdy’s absence showed that he could be the next reclamation project that becomes a legitimate NFL starter.
“Meanwhile, Nick Herbig had a breakout campaign himself for the Steelers. He led the league in pass rush win rate and tallied 7.5 sacks. Pittsburgh is going to have a tough decision to make with a ton of money already invested in T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.”
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When 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight games this season due to a toe injury, Jones filled in ably and posted 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes and a 69.6% pass completion rate. No one is calling him a potential bust anymore, and at age 27, he could be young enough to still be molded into a competent long-term starting QB.
Pittsburgh has needed a new QB1 ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired four years ago. After cycling through Kenny Pickett and over-the-hill versions of Rodgers and Russell Wilson, perhaps they would consider at least taking a look at Jones.
Recent reports have indicated that San Francisco won’t look to trade Jones, as previously thought, and instead wants to keep him for next season. But one has to figure that if the team receives an excellent offer for him, it would have to reconsider that stance.
Herbig, 24, had 18 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss, three passes defended, three forced fumbles and one fumble return for a touchdown in 2025 to go along with his 7.5 sacks. The outside linebacker could team up with five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa, who is recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 3, to form a fearsome pass-rushing duo.
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While the Niners’ defense was resilient at times in 2025, it finished 13th in points allowed and 20th in total yards allowed. With Raheem Morris replacing Robert Saleh as their defensive coordinator, they could use all the help they can get on that side of the football.
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