49ers Predicted to Make Trade to Replace Nick Bosa After 4-1 Start

With Sunday’s NFL results moving the San Francisco 49ers into a tie for the league’s best record, it’s becoming increasingly likely that they’ll look to make a move to replace Nick Bosa.

General manager John Lynch appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “49ers Game Plan” show and shared that a trade remains possible but the current roster needs to perform so that the new guy can be the difference that puts San Francisco over the top.

Bosa is out for the season after tearing his ACL against the Arizona Cardinals a couple weeks ago.

John Lynch Talks Dealing for Bosa Replacement

Lynch’s interview came before Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, in which the Niners without Bosa, Brock Purdy or George Kittle secured a surprise win that put the league on notice.

“I think there’s also a component, you’ve got to earn the right, probably talked about more in baseball: Do you earn the right to motivate people to go acquire people?” Lynch said. “So that means we’ve got to keep playing good football, so this guy could be the guy who makes a difference.”

Lynch attempted to downplay the kind of impact player the 49ers might be able to acquire.

“Oftentimes, it’s just another add,” Lynch said. “With anyone on that trade market, you’re not replacing Nick Bosa.”

Lynch seemed reluctant to give up a lot of draft picks for a new pass rusher, but would if the price is right.

“We like drafting players,” Lynch said. “But we’ve shown a propensity, an ability to find good players in trades and acquire them.”

Four Notable Pass Rushers the Niners Could Target

The Niners, led by Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne, held on to win in overtime, 26-23, as coach Kyle Shanahan emerged as an early season candidate for coach of the year.

San Francisco moved to 4-1 on the season and remain undefeated in the NFC West. The team looks poised to again make a playoff run this season with or without Bosa, but attempting to replace his production via a trade may be what the Niners need.

NBC Sports predicted four players the Niners could target in a trade to help the pass rush as Bosa recovers:

• Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Jaelan Phillips (Miami Dolphins)
• Azzeez Ojulari (Philadelphia Eagles)
• Cameron Jordan (New Orleans Saints)

Hendrickson, 30, spent much of the offseason and training camp pursuing a contract extension but ultimately received only a one-year pay raise. NFL insiders have identified him as a potential trade target as he continues to seek a more substantial deal.

GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – OCTOBER 05: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Paycor Stadium on October 05, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has Hendrickson ranked among the top trade candidates.

“Cincinnati probably can’t overcome a suspect defense enough to make a deep playoff run,” Knox wrote Oct. 1. “Therefore, it would make sense to cash in pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.

“Season-ending injuries to players like Nick Bosa and Marcus Davenport might help allow the Bengals to get something close to their asking price for the 30-year-old,” Knox added.

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