How interested are the 49ers in Maxx Crosby?

The San Francisco 49ers' defense struggled to generate impact plays during the 2025 season. The unit finished with just 20 sacks—the fewest in the NFL. The next lowest total belonged to the New York Jets with 26. San Francisco also recorded only six interceptions, again ranking near the bottom of the league. Only the Jets, who had none, fared worse.

A stronger pass rush would help address both issues. Consistent pressure leads to sacks, but it also forces quarterbacks into hurried decisions—creating interception opportunities and momentum-changing plays.

The 49ers attempted to reshape their defensive front last offseason, though much of the focus appeared to be on improving run defense. San Francisco used the No. 11 overall pick on defensive end Mykel Williams, hoping he would develop into a reliable pass rusher. The team also traded for Bryce Huff, envisioning a disruptive presence opposite Nick Bosa.

Those plans unraveled quickly. Bosa suffered a torn ACL by Week 3, while an ankle injury sidelined All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner by Week 6. With multiple stars unavailable, the defense never came close to reaching its full potential.

That reality raises an obvious question: Will the 49ers aggressively pursue pass-rush help this offseason?

One name drawing league-wide attention is Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Reports suggest Crosby and the Raiders may be headed toward a split, potentially making one of the NFL's premier pass rushers available via trade.

FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer recently addressed Crosby's situation in a Yahoo! Sports interview, and he did not downplay the likelihood of a move.

When asked if Crosby is expected to leave Las Vegas, Glazer said, "Yeah, probably."

He added that once word surfaced about Crosby's possible availability, interest around the league was immediate and intense.

"So, the day it happened, no less than 20 teams called me and asked, 'Dude, is this real? Can we get him? What's it for?' I'm like, God, we're not there yet, but yes, it's real." Glazer said.