Now that we have a look at what’s going on offensively, it’s time to turn the page and take a look at the San Francisco 49ers defense this season. Today, we’ll look at the depth of edge rushers and how they’ll perform in 2025, and look ahead to 2026.
You can see what the front office has planned for this season. After drafting Mikel Williams in the first round, they looked to bolster the Chargers by trading for Bryce Huff. That trio should carry the load, with Sam Okuanonu providing run support and Yetur Gross-Matos helping with the pass rush.
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This is a team that can and should play alongside Nick Bosa, but the injury gods had other ideas. Bosa didn’t make it to October. Williams barely held on until November. That means when Huff is brought in as a secondary, he needs to lead the charge.
By December, the team was relying on players who weren’t on the roster when Bosa and Williams played. Trading Keion White and signing former Niner Clelin Ferrell did little, but there weren’t many meaningful options at the time unless you were willing to give up premium draft capital.
Advantages
It would be unfair to this group to judge them for playing a role they were not meant to play. In the first two games of the season, Bosa had five tackles, two sacks and eight pressures. He just looks like a superstar.
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In Bosa’s first three games as a starter, Huff allowed two sacks and eight pressures to go with three tackles for loss. The 49ers run defense is much better with Mikel on the field. Once he’s out for the season, their yards-per-carry numbers will rise significantly, especially on rushes outside of tackle.
weakness
Like George Kittle on offense, once a player goes down and you can’t make a play, that’s not a good sign. A similar situation exists when referencing one of the best players in the game. Huff can be a difference-maker as a rotational pass rusher. But that’s not the case when Huff needs to make every play and be consistent against the run.
We’re not going to disparage players like White, Sam O and Ferrell. These players shouldn’t be playing meaningful starting snaps in the playoffs. Unfortunately, injuries forced Robert Saleh to take action.
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The injury also limited Gross-Matos from training this week. After signing a free agent, the 49ers didn’t get any benefits, which means it’s another offseason and it’s time to revamp the edge rushers.
What will the 49ers’ rushing attack group look like in 2026?
The addition of Raheem Morris means Williams will be more successful as a post player than he was as a rookie under Saleh.
You might think that if Morris liked James Pierce, he could team up with Huff, who has one year left on his contract. The 49ers could release Huff, saving $5.3 million against the salary cap. This move means they need to add another pass rusher. At Huff’s ceiling, it’s unlikely you’re going to upgrade from a player who should benefit from playing with Bosa and Mikel. Decision, decision.
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Trae Hendrickson, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Cam Jordan will all be free-agent options, but they all have more command than Huff currently has.
No matter what you do, it will all revolve around Bosa. Looking for a pass rusher in the draft is always an option, but there aren’t any game-changers that immediately come to mind.
Then there is the trade market. Maxx Crosby may have given 49ers fans hope recently. As a player, no one can compare to him. The duo of Bosa and Crosby will make Williams’ selection look even better as the team goes to great lengths to help their tackles.
Robert Beal Jr. is a restricted free agent and will likely return. I’d be interested to see what body types Morris brings in, whether through the draft or free agency.
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A year after the Niners were one of the worst pass-rushing teams in football, it makes sense to realign the depth behind Bosa and Williams. you don’t have Do not do anything to Huff unless you are sure there is an upgrade available.
This unit is just like Bosa.