The San Francisco 49ers already have a loaded, expensive defense. Might they toss one more superstar into the mix?
In fairness, with the playoffs still rolling on, it’s too early in the offseason to lawfully broker blockbuster trades. And the 49ers have given no indication that such trades are forthcoming.
However, that isn’t stopping one of their star players from hinting, not with any particular subtlety, that the team should bring in an All-Pro defender via trade this spring.
In a recent tweet, 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir seemed to indicate that he wanted the team to trade for Las Vegas Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who is under contract for four years and $94 million through the 2026 season.
“Max Crosby would look crazy in a 49ers jersey,” Lenoir wrote, with a fire emoji added for emphasis.
Crosby, 27, has made each of the last four Pro Bowls and led the NFL in tackles for loss in both 2022 and 2023. He’s got 59.5 career sacks and 105 tackles for loss in six seasons, all with the Raiders.
The Raiders are coming off a four-win season and have enough incentive to consider trading Crosby if they desperately want to get out of his contract. But the 49ers fitting that same contract into their budget might prove difficult.
Ironically enough, the 49ers just signed Lenoir to a five-year, $92 million extension, which is money they could have used to trade for Crosby instead.
Of course, nothing can be ruled out, and San Francisco may well decide one more star edge-rusher is all they need to get back to Super Bowl contention in 2025. But for now, Lenoir will have to simply continue to dream.
