Expert Urges 49ers to Hold Off on Major Trade for Maxx Crosby

The San Francisco 49ers may be contemplating a significant trade to acquire Maxx Crosby, a standout pass rusher from the Las Vegas Raiders, but a notable NFL analyst suggests the team should exercise caution. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently discussed the potential trade in his mailbag column, expressing enthusiasm for the idea while emphasizing the importance of timing.

"I love the idea," Breer stated. "And I think the 49ers are always open to these types of deals. But if I were them, I think I'd wait a bit before diving all-in." He recommended that the 49ers assess their roster's performance during the initial weeks of the season before committing to such a significant move. Breer cautioned against making trades that could deplete the team's future resources, especially given the age of several key players.

Concerns about the 49ers' aging lineup are prevalent, with players like offensive lineman Trent Williams at 37, fullback Kyle Juszczyk at 35, and tight end George Kittle, along with new addition Mike Evans, both at 32. Additionally, running back Christian McCaffrey and linebacker Fred Warner will be another year older by November, while edge rusher Nick Bosa, recovering from a torn ACL, will turn 29 this fall. Breer warned that trading away draft picks now could hinder the team’s ability to refresh its roster in the future.

As for Crosby, he will also be 29 by the start of the 2026 season and has previously dealt with injuries, which adds another layer of complexity to the potential trade. Breer believes the organization should play out the season to gauge both their performance and that of the Raiders before making any decisions. "If the Niners are, say, 6–1, and the Raiders are 1–6, and Crosby is balling out, that's where, if I'm Lynch, I'm thinking about picking up the phone," he noted.

What would it take to bring Crosby to San Francisco? Reports indicate that the Raiders initially sought a package similar to what the Dallas Cowboys received for Micah Parsons, which could include two first-round picks and a player. The Baltimore Ravens also considered trading two first-rounders for Crosby earlier this offseason before retracting their offer. The 49ers could potentially devise a similar deal to the one the Los Angeles Rams executed with the Cleveland Browns for Myles Garrett, though Crosby may not command as high a price.