The San Francisco 49ers starting off 3-0 bodes well for the road ahead despite major injuries.
With the trade deadline weeks away on Nov. 4, the 49ers could make a move to alleviate the loss of star defensive end Nick Bosa. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay named the 49ers as a trade suitor for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson because of Bosa’s absence. Kay also mentioned the Detroit Lions as a competitor for Hendrickson because of defensive end Marcus Davenport’s chest injury.
“These are Super Bowl hopefuls who could soon become desperate for pass-rushing help,” Kay wrote. That desperation might finally allow the Bengals to get something close to their asking price for the reigning NFL sacks leader.
Hendrickson has tallied 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, and he has eclipsed 10 sacks in four of the past five seasons. He has a one-year $29 million deal with the Bengals after a contract dispute during the offseason.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported in August that the Bengals wanted a 2026 first-round pick and a young defensive player in return for Hendrickson,” Kay wrote. While they’re not going to drop their price to bargain levels just because (quarterback) Joe Burrow is out for the next three months, they could be more open to counteroffers.
Bengals Sunken Hopes Opens Door For 49ers
Cincinnati’s playoff hopes have taken a hit since Burrow went down with a turf toe injury. The Bengals consequently could free up room for the future instead of going all-in for 2025.
Sunday’s blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings showed that Cincinnati isn’t equipped to make a serious run with Jake Browning at quarterback,” Kay wrote. A conditional second-round pick that can become a first should interest the Bengals since Hendrickson is likely to depart in the offseason anyway.
“For interested teams, that’s a steep price for a 30-year-old defender on an expiring contract,” Kay added. “
49ers Could Be Holding Up Cards on Trade Intentions
That said, the 49ers aren’t publicly out to trade for a player to fill in for Bosa. At least 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan won’t tip his cap on the matter after Bosa went down in Week 3.
“Nothing in particular,” Shanahan told reporters on Monday. “You don’t just replace a guy like Nick. … Everyone’s got to continue to get better at everything. It’s the same thing I’d be preaching if we did have Nick, too. When you lose your better players, it gets harder, but I also expect throughout this year all of our players to get better as it goes.
“That’s stressed even that much more when you lose a great one like Nick,” Shanahan added. “Lots of guys obviously will have to step it up as it goes, but I believe that’ll be more by committee than any individual.”
49ers Have Young Talent on D-Line
Bosa’s absence leaves younger players to step up on the defensive line. San Francisco added Bryce Huff and Sam Okuayinonu before the season, and Huff has two sacks and nine tackles, and Okuayinonu has 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
Rookies Alfred Collins, C.J. West, and Mykei Williams also become more critical to the mix. Collins has three tackles, West has two tackles, and Williams has six tackles and a pass deflection thus far.
49ers Named Trade Suitor For $29 Million, 4-Time Pro Bowler