Where Things Stand Following The Nick Bosa Injury
Is a Super Bowl run still in the cards?
Following a massive week 3 winning field goal from new San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddie Pineiro, the vibes were immaculate. At that moment the team had weathered two intra-division storms against game opponents, and banked multiple road wins to start the season. All was right in the 49ers world, with one seemingly major caveat.
The 49ers had survived multiple setbacks and achieve success where they shouldn’t have. Backup Mac Jones showed why he is one of the best in the business, going 2-0 in Purdy’s stead. Moody had been mercifully jettisoned into the sun, and the rookies were playing like 5 year vets.
But, Nick Bosa had left the game early after his knee buckled, giving his parents an ominous thumbs down after exiting the blue tent. Coach Kyle Shanahan stated he had passed the physical test, but was feeling a nagging instability in the knee. Some 49ers pages mistakenly took this to mean Bosa was cleared of ACL concerns. He was not. As it turned out, the MRI the next morning would go on to reveal his season was finished.
The news could not have hit harder. Before getting to the football aspect of the situation, it should be mentioned these athletes are well-paid super-humans. They’re well paid due to the inherent physical risk and difficulty of what they do. Those circumstances can desensitize fans to the fact that when we discuss a major knee injury, the man’s body was mangled. Over the next several months his life will consist of doctors appointments, surgeries, and physically grueling rehabilitation. Best wishes for Bosa and his family as he goes through that process.
Now to the on field reality. The impact of losing this caliber of player cannot be overstated. The NFC is wide open. There are currently four legitimate championship caliber rosters by way of Detroit, Green Bay, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. Each has shown various vulnerabilities. Besides two dates with the Rams, the schedule is cushy.
They’ve endured major roster deficits, and reinforcements are on the way. Over the next 4-6 weeks Aiyuk, Jennings, Kittle, Purdy, and Mustapha are all set to return. Brock and this flashy rookie class are the cheapest they will ever be. A legitimate shot at winning the division is at stake here. That means hosting a playoff game or two at Levi’s… And maybe making a home Super Bowl appearance.
The fact is they cannot do that without hitting the trade market to seek out a defensive end that can give them a portion of what Nick would. He’s a 1-of-1 player, there is no true replacement out there. But there are some veterans on waning contracts that can bridge a portion of that gap. Here’s who they should go after and what it might cost:
Trey Hendrickson (CIN): In 2024 Hendrickson started all 17 games for the Cincinnati Bengals, and posted a league leading 17.5 sacks, the second year in a row hitting that figure. Hendrickson is a game wrecker off the edge and one of the finest DE’s in the sport. He’s coming off a protracted summer long holdout where the Bengals were unwilling to pay him a long term contract. They instead opted to restructure his final year and pay him $30M for 2025, presumably with the aim of having him around for one last Joe Burrow Super Bowl run.
Their relationship is not in a great place. Burrow is now out, at the minimum, 11 more weeks. It seems logical that they would be more than willing to cash out, rather than lose him next season for nothing. The only issue standing in the way here would be the potential demand on the market at the trade deadline. The Bengals will not just give him away, and they do not have to make the choice for several more weeks. It is the best possible route for the franchise to take, Super Bowl windows do not stay open forever. This would more or less fully salvage 2025. Keep in mind, if they give up a 2nd but receive a compensatory 3rd after losing him in 2026 free agency, that 2nd really only amounts to moving down 30-40 spots in the draft. Trey looks perfect in Red and Gold.
Compensation: 2026 2nd, 2026 4th
Brian Burns or Kayvon Thibodeaux(NYG): Burns is worth briefly mentioning here as he was a name getting thrown around on 49ers-Twitter, but one that is far from realistic. He signed a mega extension in 2024, and carries with him an over $43M potential dead cap hit in 2026. There is no way the team can swing that type of financial obligation. And the Giants seemingly have no interest in letting him go.
His line mate, Thibodeaux, is on his rookie contract. The team is firmly locked into Burns and future all pro Abdul Carter as their edge duo for 2026 and beyond. They are 0-3, and highly unlikely to extend the former fifth overall player. Kayvon is young, and playing good ball. He already has 1.5 sacks this season. He was also ranked as the 29th overall DE by PFF last season. Maybe he can’t give you 85 or 90% of Bosa like Hendrickson would, but 80%? We’ll take that all day.
Compensation: 2026 3rd, 2026 5th
Some Cheaper Options: There are a handful of vets that would make sense, but none offer anywhere near the level of play Hendrickson or Thibodeaux would. Conversely, they would not cost the same to bring in. Bradley Chubb has dealt with a litany of injuries in his Dolphins career but he’s a talented player who could be situationally useful. No idea what the dolphins are even holding onto for this season.
In that same vein, Miami rookie contractee Jaelan Phillips has not been what he once was when entering the league, but is also on his fifth year option and would be next to free at this point. Arden Key of the Tennessee Titans is a familiar face who did well last time he was here. The Titans are going nowhere fast and he would be affordable.
Compensation: 2026 5th, if that.
Will Lynch and Co. make a move to bolster the home field playoff run in 2025? Almost certainly. What will that be? Time will tell.