49ers GM Reveals Plans for NFL Trade Deadline Amid Injuries
As things currently stand, the San Francisco 49ers still look to be an above-average team, despite all the injuries they’ve dealt with. In first place in the loaded NFC West, with three of the four teams sitting at 5-2, including the 49ers, it’s evident that San Francisco might have to go out and make a move if it wants to be the team it’s looking to be in the back end of the season and in the playoffs.
When speaking about what the plan might be for the trade deadline, 49ers general manager John Lynch shared that it isn’t a necessity for him to go out and make a trade, but if a player can help them in the short and long term, he’s certainly open to the idea of making a move.
“No, we don’t have to,” Lynch said Thursday on KNBR, per 49ers Web Zone. “Like I’ve said consistently, if it can make our team better, and things align, speaking with other teams, with how it benefits us long term, the analysis of, okay, what kind of compensation does it take from future drafts and all that.”
Will the 49ers Be Active at the NFL Trade Deadline?
The idea of going out and making a trade for the San Francisco 49ers stems from all the injuries the team has dealt with. According to the latest injury report, Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, Fred Warner, and others on the defensive side of the football are all injured.
Star edge rusher Nick Bosa is also done for the year with a significant knee injury.
“But we’ve got plenty in this building,” Lynch said. “Bryce has been a big part of what we do, played a fantastic game. Unfortunately, it was like the second-to-last play of that game where he got his hammy, and he’s just going to be out a couple of games, is kind of what it’s looking like right now.
“We’ll hold down the fort until then. And with respect, I’ve spoken at great length on the other stuff. If it can help our team, we won’t hesitate to do it, but nothing has presented itself that has aligned completely, to this point.”
Can the 49ers Find a Linebacker That Fits Their Defense?
Finding a linebacker and someone to come off the edge will be important for the San Francisco 49ers.
Lynch wasn’t the only one, however, to state that the San Francisco 49ers need someone right now and for the future. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also said that while he doesn’t want to say a player has to be here next season, it’d be important, and he doesn’t want the team to gut what they have just to make a short-sighted move.
“I don’t like to say imperative [that a player we acquire via trade must help next year] at all just because I don’t like to put an absolute on anything,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said about the trade deadline on Monday.
“But yeah, I think that’s something that we definitely would prefer. Of course, we want someone to help us out this year, but I’d love it not to be at the expense of our team next year also. I know we all feel that way, and hopefully, we can find a situation that does both. And If not, you don’t do something like that just to do it. I’m really excited about the guys we have in our building right now also.”
Regardless of how they feel, it’s obvious that Lynch and Shanahan will need some more if the 49ers are going to be the team they’re looking to be.
With Dallas reportedly eyeing Maxx Crosby, analysts say the Patriots should strike fast. Armed with top cap space and a hungry defense, New England could use the Raiders’ All-Pro pass rusher to reignite their playoff hopes.
There has been plenty of speculation over the last few weeks about the Patriots' potential activity ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on November 4, both in terms of trading for and trading away players to improve their roster this season. Not much has been said about their plans directly from Mike Vrabel and Co., but more intriguing names continue to pop up that would be excellent additions to inquire about.
Most conversation has surrounded wide receivers and running backs, and while either position makes sense for the Patriots right now, adding a legitimate threat in the pass rush could be considered the best use of their league-high remaining cap space this year.
They now have a new potential trade target to call about, as NFL analyst and insider Trey Wingo revealed that the Raiders are receiving calls about the availability of EDGE Maxx Crosby. Although he only mentioned that the Cowboys have called so far, it implies there might be a chance that offers for the veteran could be considered.
Breaking: according to sources the @dallascowboys have made inquiries with the @Raiders about a potential trade for Maxx Crosby
— trey wingo (@wingoz) October 21, 2025
That leaves the Patriots with no choice other than calling Las Vegas about Crosby, no matter what the cost might be.
The Cowboys certainly make the most sense, since they traded away Micah Parsons last month and now have an extra first-round pick that the Raiders would likely want in return. However, that doesn't mean the Patriots shouldn't seriously consider a trade for many reasons, especially since their defense could use him and his contract is pretty friendly, too.
If Maxx Crosby becomes available for trade, there's no reason for the Patriots not to make an offer
Among the more vulnerable groups on the current roster, the Patriots' pass rush could easily use the most upgrading. While Harold Landry III and K'Lavon Chaisson have been solid additions and have had some standout moments, their performance is not consistent enough to feel comfortable relying solely on them for the foreseeable future.
That's where a guy like Crosby makes sense. At just 28 years old, he is still in his prime and expected to play at a high level for years to come. This season alone, he has already recorded 28 combined tackles, 10 for a loss, nine quarterback hits, four sacks, an interception returned for 19 yards, five passes defended, and a forced fumble.
That kind of production is not something that can be replicated, and the Patriots could further boost their chances of a playoff run by adding him to their defense. It won't be cheap to accomplish, but they (at least) know they can take on his contract no problem.
Trading ED Maxx Crosby
New Team Acquires
2025: $20.3M (gtd)
2026: $30M (gtd)
2027: $29M
2028: $27M
2029: $28M#Raiders Dead Cap
2025: $18M
2026: $5.1M
Crosby's $29M 2027 salary fully guarantees next March, making this a 2.5 year, $80M contract for practical purposes. pic.twitter.com/UhT4ibebfR
— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 21, 2025
What the Raiders will want in return is expected to be steep, and considering how good Crosby is, he's certainly a player worth investing in.
It's a position the Patriots were likely to address next offseason, but there aren't many options that could surpass what Crosby would bring to their team. So if this is their chance to add him to the team, they need to take advantage of it.
Updated reporters suggest the Raiders are not actively shopping Crosby, meaning the chances of him being shipped off are not in the Patriots favor. But it doesn't hurt to inquire, especially since Micah Parsons was traded and he was deemed off the table by the Cowboys.
