The San Francisco 49ers received the worst news possible the Monday following their Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, the Niners' top pass-rusher, will miss the rest of the year after suffering an in-game torn ACL.
Navigating Bosa's absence for the rest of the season will be tough for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Co., and it inevitably puts pressure on San Francisco's less-known crop of pass-rushers, namely Bryce Huff and rookie Mykel Williams.
However, there's one potential move the 49ers could look to make to help alleviate Bosa's loss.
Trading for Miami Dolphins veteran edge Bradley Chubb.
Chubb, 29 years old, is already off to a strong start this season despite Miami's woeful 0-3 campaign to date. With three sacks and three quarterback hits, the 2018 first-round draftee is one of the few positives stemming from head coach Mike McDaniel's defense.
And, should the Dolphins ultimately decide it's time to clean house by firing McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier (all signs suggest this is imminent anyway), Chubb could be a movable trade chip that assists with yet another full-blown rebuild down in South Beach.
49ers should eyeball Bradley Chubb in a trade after losing Nick Bosa
Granted, the Niners aimed to get both younger and cheaper last offseason, so trading for Chubb doesn't necessarily follow that methodology. But, with an undefeated record three weeks into the season, general manager John Lynch should at least ask around.
Chubb is under contract through 2027, but there's no guaranteed money on his deal after this season, giving San Francisco plenty of options, should it decide he's not worth the long-term investment. With over $25 million in available cap space, according to Over the Cap, Lynch and Co. can afford the post-trade financials for the pass-rusher. And the lack of guaranteed money beyond 2025 ensures, at least contractually, the veteran wouldn't get in the way of Williams' long-term development.
True, Chubb has almost exclusively played in a 3-4 base defense since going pro in 2018. However, he was primarily a 4-3 defensive end during his collegiate years at NC State, and many a draft profile for him indicated scheme versatility, suggesting he'd adapt well enough to Saleh's base front as a defensive end.
While the 49ers may not be interested in surrendering a first-round pick over to Miami to pull off such a move, a package of day-two picks over the next couple of years might be enough to convince either Grier or whoever winds up being in charge of the Dolphins to bite.
Of course, Lynch might want to wait a few weeks to gain a better pulse on Miami's dysfunction to maximize his chances of executing the best possible deal.
Given the context, looking at Chubb as a would-be Bosa replacement might seem to be the perfect opportunity.