The San Francisco 49ers currently have the best record in the NFL, with the Minnesota Vikings playing tonight on Monday Night Football. Trade rumors are swirling and the team suffered a major blow with the loss of defensive tackle Gracen Halton. The trade deadline is tomorrow and there is plenty of time to complete the roster.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have sent a message to the AFC and the NFL with the acquisitions of safety Jessie Bates and defensive tackle Jordan Davis. It feels like almost any year you can say the NFL is “wide open,” but this season appears to be more open than previous seasons.
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch have not indicated that they are completely on board or completely off in their public statements. In my opinion, I would bet the 49ers are working the phones right now. Evaluating internal talent and incoming reinforcements is part of the equation for the 49ers. We do know the 49ers targeted Jauan Jennings in a trade with Minnesota, but that move felt like a depth improvement, given his familiarity with the offense.
Should the 49ers take a leaf out of the Jaguars’ playbook? Now look, teams shouldn’t be reactionary to other teams’ moves or thought processes. It’s possible the 49ers will be content with what they have. There is the possibility that the 49ers, who have run the ball very well in 2026, will shift their identity in January to a running team that controls the clock and wants their defense to eliminate offenses.
You don’t think you’ll be in a playoff shootout, and of course anything is possible. On the other hand, adding firepower is never a bad idea, provided the value of the return and investment is reasonable. Do the 49ers have confidence in the returns of Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and De’Zhaun Stribling, potentially with Demarcus Robinson rounding into shape?
The pass rush hasn’t broken out as much as you’d like, but are the 49ers adding a familiar face off the street, Leonard Floyd, anyone? The 49ers have taken initiatives in the past. Will the 49ers stick with it or bank on bringing back CJ West to bolster defensive tackle depth?
Should the 49ers lean on a wide receiver or hope that Jordan Watkins’ development continues? Calling the Jets about Will McDonald IV isn’t the worst idea. Sound off in the comments: Should the 49ers follow Jacksonville’s trade process?
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