It was just a few weeks ago that the San Francisco 49ers looked absolutely dominant at 5-0 on the season and coming off a 42-10 blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Fast forward three games, and San Francisco has lost three consecutive outings. Its latest defeat at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals represented another ugly performance from the defense. Joe Burrow completed 28-of-32 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
New defensive coordinator Steve Wilks suddenly find himself on the hot seat with head coach Kyle Shanahan failing to throw support behind the veteran after Sunday’s defeat.
Even before these three losses, there were rumors that 49ers general manager John Lynch would stay true to form and be active ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. The front office head did nothing to quiet these rumors before Week 7.
“I think we’ve got a proven track record. We’re not afraid to be active, and if it can help our team, I think the one thing, we’ve remained relatively healthy, number one. Number two, we got a pretty deep and talented roster already,” Lynch said earlier in October. “So, you know, it’s got to really make sense for us. But we’re certainly not afraid to make a splash, if needed.”
With issues potentially popping up at the pass rush position and cornerback on defense, it would not be a surprise if San Francisco made a move here in the couple days. Here’s a look at four trade scenarios and one other move for the 49ers leading up to the NFL trade deadline.
Related: Updated NFL trade rumors
San Francisco 49ers address needs in trade with Tennessee Titans
By now, it’s well known that the Titans are headed into a full-scale rebuild after they traded away two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard earlier in October. A fire sale really could be the name of the game for general manager Ran Carthon and Co.
It also helps that San Francisco has a built-in relationship with Carthon dating back to his days working with Lynch in Northern California (Tennesee hired the GM prior to this season). These relationships do end up playing a role in trade talks.
In this scenario, the 49ers add two players in a trade with Tennessee. That includes a fourth-year cornerback in Kristian Fulton who is slated to hit free agency after the 2023 season. Prior to this year, the former LSU star had been studly in pass coverage (52.4% completion allowed in 2022). The 49ers certainly need help after giving up 661 passing yards over the past two games.
This hypothetical also includes San Francisco bringing back edge rusher Arden Key. He put up a career-best performance with the 49ers in 2021, recording 6.5 sacks. Even with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in the mix, San Francisco has registered a mere 18 sacks in eight games this season.
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John Lynch surprises by adding another weapon to the mix
On the surface, the skill positions are not an issue for San Francisco. Christian McCaffrey is the best running back in the game. Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk represent one of the top wide receiver tandems in the NFL. Meanwhile, George Kittle is one of the greatest all-around tight ends in modern NFL history.
Even then, it would not be a surprise if the 49ers pulled off a surprise trade to provide Brock Purdy with another weapon. This scenario includes Hunter Renfrow heading from Southern Nevada to the Bay Area.
We already know that Renfrow is on the trade block with the Raiders finding it hard to get decent offers for the Pro Bowler. We also know that Renfrow would be an absolutely brilliant fit in the slot for the 49ers. It was just back in 2021 that he recorded 103 receptions for 1,038 yards while hauling in 81% of his targets. Imagine him as a safety valve for Purdy.
Related: NFL players currently on the block
Chase Young heads to Northern California
Washington is listening to everyone on its roster ahead of the deadline. That includes both Young and fellow edge rusher Montez Sweat.
At this point, Young would likely come cheaper given his lack of consistent production compared to Sweat and the fact that Washington declined the 2025 option on his rookie deal.
We also love Young as a fit opposite fellow former Ohio State star Nick Bosa. He’s produced this season in returning from a torn ACL. The 24-year-old has registered nine quarterback hits and five sacks. That latter number would actually be tops on San Francisco’s roster. If the 49ers can get him for a couple of third-round picks, Lynch has to think about it.
San Francisco 49ers pull off blockbuster Patrick Surtain trade
Rumors of the Denver Broncos potentially trading Surtain just recently gave into a report that teams are calling Denver about the third-year All-Pro. To be perfectly clear, it would cost a small boat load to acquire this talented young cornerback. The likely starting-off point is two first-round picks.
If any team can afford this, it’s the 49ers. They have a major need at cornerback right now. Getting a true shutdown guy like Surtain who has not yet hit his prime and can be a producer for the next half-decade is going to be worth it. Just think about it this way. Will San Francisco get equal production moving forward from two likely late first-round picks? We’re not too sure.
As always, it takes two to tango. Lynch is likely one of those GMs who have called the Broncos up about Surtain. Whether the Broncos are seriously willing to consider moving him is another story altogether.
San Francisco 49ers fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks
Would it be rushing to judgment by firing Wilks just eight games into his 49ers tenure? Sure. But the regression we’ve seen from him compared to what San Francisco’s defense looked like under DeMeco Ryans can’t be ignored.
The 49ers have now given up 852 total yards of offense and 53 first downs over the past two games. To put that into context, San Francisco had given up 41 first downs in its previous three games prior to this losing streak. If the 49ers do end up moving off from Wilks, defensive line coach Kris Kocurek would be an ideal internal replacement.