The NFC West landscape shifted dramatically this week when the Los Angeles Rams acquired star pass rusher Myles Garrett, creating another obstacle in the San Francisco 49ers’ pursuit of a division title.

In response to the move, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay proposed a blockbuster trade for the 49ers—though it seems unlikely at first glance. Kay suggests general manager John Lynch pursue a player who was frequently linked to San Francisco in trade rumors earlier this offseason: Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.

The Raiders previously agreed to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens, but that deal collapsed when Baltimore backed out at the last minute. As a result, Kay believes another trade could still materialize.

“While the edge defender and team have both maintained that he’s happy to continue his career in Sin City, it may not be long before another deal materializes,” Kay wrote.

What It Would Take to Land Crosby

There is already a benchmark. Baltimore was prepared to send first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 before backing out. In Kay’s hypothetical proposal, the 49ers would instead part with their first- and second-round picks in 2027, along with a third-round selection in 2028.

Kay argues the move would make sense for a 49ers team that appears to be only a few pieces away from being a true Super Bowl contender. It would also help San Francisco keep pace with both the Rams and the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in a highly competitive NFC West.

Crosby’s Elite Production

“Crosby was one of the few bright spots on a downtrodden roster that finished with the league’s worst record in 2025, tallying 10 sacks in 15 games,” Kay wrote. “Crosby reached a double-digit sack total for the third time in the last four seasons and earned his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl nod.

“Considering how much of a force Crosby has been despite being saddled with lackluster teammates, he could take his game to another level in the Bay Area. Bookending him with Nick Bosa, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, would give San Francisco arguably the best edge rushing tandem in the NFL.”

The Strategic Calculus for San Francisco

While the idea is intriguing, the 49ers might be reluctant to part with their top two selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, a class many evaluators expect to be significantly stronger than the 2026 group.

Additionally, San Francisco has rarely operated as a reactive organization. Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have stuck to their long-term roster-building philosophy rather than making major moves simply because a rival made one first.

The Rams, by contrast, are operating on a different timeline than the 49ers. The 2026 season could very well be quarterback Matthew Stafford’s final year, making Los Angeles more willing to gamble in pursuit of another championship.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are focused on building sustained success around quarterback Brock Purdy, who is still only 26 years old. While adding a player like Crosby would undoubtedly strengthen the roster, sacrificing premium future draft capital may be seen as too costly.

A High-Stakes Division Arms Race

The proposed deal would instantly transform the 49ers’ defensive front and send a clear message across the NFC West. Pairing Crosby with Bosa would create one of the most feared pass-rushing duos in the league, potentially neutralizing high-powered offenses and elevating San Francisco back into serious contention.

Yet the cost remains steep. Giving up multiple high picks in a strong upcoming draft class represents a significant long-term investment. Whether John Lynch pulls the trigger on such an aggressive move will define the 49ers’ trajectory for years to come.

For now, the rumor mill continues to churn. If the 49ers do land Maxx Crosby, the NFC West arms race will have reached a fever pitch — turning an already brutal division into a true nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.