The San Francisco 49ers struggled to generate consistent pressure during the 2025 season, making pass rush one of their biggest offseason priorities. Getting Nick Bosa back from injury should help, and the addition of defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa gives the front line another piece to work with.
Even so, there’s still room to add more juice off the edge. With the 2026 NFL Draft coming up, the 49ers could look to address it there, though exploring a trade remains another option to boost their sack production.
Moreover, one name that the Niners could pursue in a trade is the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Nick Herbig. Yahoo! Sports’ senior NFL reporter, Charles Robinson, shared the latest on Herbig ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, which starts on April 23.
Highsmith’s name, along with fellow edge Nick Herbig are definitely floating around front offices as the draft approaches, although it seems that any trade would be a one-but-not-both scenario, with Highsmith being the likelier candidate to get moved,” Robinson wrote in his April 16 article.
“Highsmith turns 29 in August and still has two years remaining for a total scheduled base salary of $30 million ($14.5 in 2026 and $15.5 in 2027). With a strong year in 2026, it’s expected he’ll try to get back to the negotiating table for an extension that resets his salary and gets him another two years of guaranteed money.
“But with Herbig waiting in the wings and having been very productive while rotating with Highsmith and T.J. Watt, the Steelers are expected to take some calls on Highsmith if the phone rings. As one high-level personnel executive said, “I think they will trade one of them [between Highsmith and Herbig].”
Niners Named Landing Spot for Steelers’ Nick Herbig
Where exactly is the speculation involving the 49ers coming from regarding Herbig? In an April 8 article, FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano pitches a trade that would see the 49ers send the 2026 second-round pick (58th) and a 2027 conditional fifth-round pick to the Steelers for Herbig.
“Their pass rush was completely punchless last season, with Bryce Huff leading the team with just four sacks,” Vacchiano wrote. “They are hopeful that both Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams will be healthy and back in their old form next season, but they could use another body in the rotation.
“Herbig, 24, is stuck in a rotation behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in Pittsburgh and in the final year of his contract. He had 13 sacks in a limited role over the past two seasons and would be well worth the high pick it would probably cost for the Steelers to swap him.”
Last season for the Steelers, Herbig earned an overall PFF defensive grade of 86.7, ranking seventh among 115 qualified edge defenders. Moreover, his pass-rush grade of 87.1 placed him eighth, while his run-defense grade of 71.4 ranked 23rd at the position.
As a pass rusher, he generated 47 total pressures, including eight sacks, 26 hurries, and 13 hits. Against the run, he recorded 14 solo tackles and forced two fumbles.
49ers Dismiss Possibility of Pursuing Joey Bosa
Another pass rusher in the Niners speculation mill is Joey Bosa as a move to the Bay Area would see him play alongside his younger brother. Nonetheless, recently, 49ers general manager John Lynch put cold water on that speculation.
“I know that would make Mama Bosa happy, but I don’t know if we can afford him,” Lynch said (h/t David Lombardi of the SF Standard).
Nick Herbig Gets Big Insider Update Amid 49ers Speculation