3 trades 49ers will regret not making at 2023 NFL trade deadline
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers certainly improved at the NFL trade deadline by adding Chase Young, but they'll still wish they made these other three moves.
It's going to be nearly impossible to find criticisms of the San Francisco 49ers' actions leading up to the NFL trade deadline last Tuesday, especially when looking at the blockbuster deal that general manager John Lynch pulled off.
Specifically, the one that landed the Niners a marquee pass-rusher, Chase Young, from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a compensatory third-round pick.
Even better, should Young depart via free agency in 2024, San Francisco will most likely get a Round 3 comp pick back in return, just a year later. No matter how one slices it, the 49ers pulled off a tremendous move, and their previous trade for veteran defensive end Randy Gregory from the Denver Broncos at the expense of a day-three NFL Draft pick swap was easy, too.
Read more: Full list of 49ers draft picks in 2024 after Chase Young trade
Losers of three in a row, and in light of what's been a scuffling defense and pass rush, Young's addition should be a welcomed one.
However, some of the non-moves the Niners were unable to get in on or execute could ultimately come back to bite them later on down the road.
Here are three that Lynch and Co. probably wish they had been able to pull off.
49ers missed trade No. 1: CB Jaylon Johnson (Bears)
NFL trade deadline result: Staying put
There were plenty of rumors and reports suggesting San Francisco was interested in Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who had previously requested a trade, according to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Johnson, who's from California, was also likely seeking a hefty new contract as part of a would-be trade package.
Whether or not Chicago asked too much in return is anyone's guess, but the 49ers would have loved to get their hands on a top-end boundary corner like Johnson, which would have given them the chance to bump Deommodore Lenoir inside to nickel cornerback, which would subsequently bench the struggling Isaiah Oliver.