San Francisco 49ers Consider Trade Options as NFL Deadline Approaches
The 6-1 49ers evaluate potential roster additions, including Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat, to bolster their defense following injuries.
The San Francisco 49ers have spent the first half of the NFL season demonstrating they can secure victories without their top pass rusher. With the trade deadline approaching, the front office must decide whether the 6-1 contender should continue testing that approach or acquire defensive reinforcement.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has identified the San Francisco 49ers as a potential landing spot for Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat. Other teams, including the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, have also been linked to the market for the veteran defender.
San Francisco's defensive needs trace back to last season when the team finished with only 20 sacks, the lowest in the league, following an ACL tear suffered by Nick Bosa in September. This fall, Bosa has made only two appearances and has remained sidelined since Week 3 due to a calf injury.
General manager John Lynch stated that Bosa is on track to return following the team's bye week. However, Bosa has not recorded a sack in 2026, and recovery from a third ACL procedure rarely follows a predictable timeline. Although the 49ers added interior strength by trading for DeForest Buckner and received contributions from rookies, the defense still lacks a proven edge rusher.
Sweat, a 29-year-old who won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract with Arizona in March 2025 and posted a career-high 12 sacks that season. After a slow start to the 2026 campaign, he has accumulated three sacks over a recent four-game stretch.
For months, the Arizona Cardinals maintained that Sweat was unavailable. However, a 2-5 start and subsequent roster adjustments have altered the team's stance. ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler indicated that a trade involving Sweat is fairly likely before the deadline, though a potential deal within the division presents logistical challenges for Arizona.
As the 49ers prepare to resume their schedule following the bye week, they hold the NFC's top seed. The upcoming stretch includes matchups against the Las Vegas Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, giving the organization ample time to evaluate its roster depth and determine if a major trade is necessary to secure a deep postseason run.