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49ers 'Exploring' Blockbuster Trade For 4-Time Pro Bowler

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 11:02 AM ET

Despite dealing with a plethora of injuries this season, the San Francisco 49ers are 4-1 heading into this Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They're expected to be buyers before the trade deadline in November.

Unfortunately for the 49ers, they lost All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa to a torn ACL in Week 3. He has been tremendous for the franchise since being drafted in 2019, racking up 278 total tackles, 168 QB hits, 64.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles. Replacing him hasn't been easy for head coach Kyle Shanahan, that's for sure.

During an appearance on KNBR's "Murph & Markus" this week, 49ers general manager John Lynch provided an update on his pursuit of a replacement for Bosa.

"We'll see. I'm having a lot of conversations - a lot of good and productive ones," Lynch said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "It is a premium position, so teams don't like just letting those guys out the door when they're good football players. So you have to identify the right guy who's going to help us. I've been very clear: you're not going to find a player that's going to go replace Nick Bosa and be as effective as him. That's really difficult to do. But can you find someone who makes the entirety of our group better? That's more in line with what we're looking for."

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Nick Bosa #97 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the third quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Who can replace Bosa?

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the 49ers are expected to check in on the availability of Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

A few weeks ago, Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard mentioned Hendrickson as a potential target for the 49ers.

“They’ve liked him for a while,” Kawakami said. “I don’t think the Bengals were picking up the phone the last few years, but if they did, the 49ers would have talked to them. They like him a lot. Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson are the guys I’ve always heard that if they were gonna get anther big DE, they’d like to get one of those guys.”

Hendrickson has 13 tackles and four sacks for the Bengals this season. Overall, he has compiled 163 QB hits and 81 sacks in his career.

If the 49ers find a way to acquire Hendrickson, that'll certainly boost their chances of making it to the Super Bowl.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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