RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Statistically, the San Francisco 49ers had the worst pass-rush in the NFL last season.
The team ranked last in sacks (20) and registered just 265 hurries with recently retired defensive end Bryce Huff the only player on the team with more than 31 pressures or 24 hurries.
Had the 49ers had rookie edge-rusher Mykel Williams or All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa healthy for the entire season, things presumably would’ve been different. Both players suffered torn ACLs early in the season, and both are on track to return in time for the 2026 season.
Given Bosa has torn the ACL in both of his knees during his seven-year NFL career — he tore his right ACL three games into last season (he also tore it in high school as well) and his left ACL two games into the 2020 season — and the fact that he’ll turn 29 in just a few months, some are worried about how effective he will be at rushing the passer in 2026.
However, offensive tackle Trent Williams, who goes up against Bosa frequently in practice, has been overly impressed with what he’s seen from Bosa so far this offseason.
“I see him every day, I couldn't even tell that he had an injury or he came back from anything,” Williams said. “… Bosa looks better than he did before he got hurt last year.”
When healthy, Bosa is one of the most dangerous pass-rushers in the league.
In the five years he’s played double-digit games, Bosa has averaged 95 pressures, 57 hurries, 22 QB hits, 12.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He’s logged 10 or more sacks three times, 100 or more pressures twice, 50 or more hurries three times, and 20 or more QB hits three times.
With Bosa and Williams both healthy, the 49ers pass-rush should get a boost over what it accomplished last season. San Francisco didn’t do much to build depth behind them, with the big additions being rookie third-round pick Romello Height and free-agent signing Cameron Sample.
The 49ers have been linked to a possible trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, though that kind of blockbuster deal seems like a long shot right now.
If San Francisco did want to bolster their pass-rush unit there are still several solid free-agent options they could consider including Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Denico Autry, Yetur Gross-Matos, Von Miller, and Jadeveon Clowney.
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