Why 49ers GM John Lynch might not be aggressive in trade talks

Matt Sullivan

•
Why 49ers GM John Lynch might not be aggressive in trade talks image

The San Francisco 49ers are a team to monitor at this season's trade deadline. With less than two weeks to go until the deadline, San Francisco has a few key needs.

John Lynch could look to replace Nick Bosa or Fred Warner, both with season-ending injuries. There are some intriguing pass-rusher options on the market, and there's a clear top off-ball linebacker the 49ers could add as well.

But, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated highlighted why the 49ers might not be aggressive at this season's trade deadline despite their glaring needs. With an aging roster, the 49ers could elect to keep their picks and shoot for bargain bin options this Fall.

Why the 49ers could be passive at the 2025 NFL trade deadline

"The bigger part of the question for the Niners is that their core is aging." Breer writes. "Fred Warner and Bosa will be turning 30 and 29, respectively, when they return next season."

With both Warner and Bosa getting up there in age, along with Trent Williams hitting 38 years old in 2026, and George Kittle at 32, there are a lot of long-term question marks for the 49ers.

Add on Christian McCaffrey, who has battled injuries the last few years and is entering his 10th NFL season in 2026, and the core of the roster is getting older.

Instead of allocating future resources in the draft to acquire talent to replace the injured Warner and Bosa this season, the 49ers could try to contend with less expensive pieces to maintain future stability as opposed to going all-in this season.

It's a tricky scenario for the 49ers and Lynch, as toeing this line could be the difference between long-term success and a final push for a Super Bowl in this era of 49ers football.

More: 49ers reportedly consider a trade for Bengals' Trey Hendrickson an 'ideal fit'

"And that'll mean asking hard questions, such as whether the team without Bosa and Warner is capable of competing for a championship as presently constituted." Breer writes. "Because if it isn't, it may not be worth flipping future assets that could inject youth into the roster."

It's an unenviable position for Lynch to be in. If he decides to spend future draft capital to try and plug the holes left by Warner and Bosa at the trade deadline, he could be jeopardizing the future of the team.

But if he doesn't make a move, holding onto those assets for the future, the 2025 season would be another lost year marred by injuries for the 49ers.

What the 49ers decide on at the deadline will be an indictment of how they feel about contending without Warner and Bosa, and could be a franchise-altering decision.

Both sides have merit, and time will tell whether one is worth it over the other. But regardless of what Lynch and the 49ers decide on, they will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch at this years trade deadline.

More 49ers News:

Senior Editor