The San Francisco 49ers are not planning to sit this trade deadline out. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on The Pivot the Niners and Chicago Bears are the two teams that are preparing to be very active at the deadline. Schultz is expecting both teams to make heavy noise before the deadline on Nov. 10.
The 49ers have been connected to several big names across the league who may be on the chopping block.
Names like Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack, Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, or Cardinals Edge Rusher Josh Sweat.
The #49ers and #Bears are two teams prepared to be very active on the trade market and I’m expecting both teams to make some real noise.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 26, 2026
I discussed with @Realrclark25 on #ThePivot: pic.twitter.com/dug3Myt3OS
Schultz goes on to even mention that there's the potential for players that aren't even considered as trade chips.
Adam Schefter, another prominent NFL insider, recently reported that league sources expect the 49ers to pursue their former player in Buckner, who is on the final year of his contract with the Colts. Buckner returning to the Niners after so long away is a headline that could write itself. Now, Buckner, 32 years old, could make a return to the team that drafted him.
Loss to Falcons showed why 49ers pass rush comes 1st
If Sunday against the Falcons didn't show the urgency, nothing will. The 49ers generated only three pressures, a season low, when their previous low was 14. Nick Bosa stands to return after the bye, but even his presence isn't able to fix a stat line like that.
Pairing a healthy Bosa with another real edge piece could be exactly what the Niners need.
While it's true the Niners will likely make a trade or two, it's important not to hedge your bets on a star player. Just because the national football media is reporting that a team will be active at the deadline doesn't mean they're about to buy a new defense.
The most likely outcome sits at the fine line between blockbuster trade and no trade at all. Expect a real move to generate defensive help, but it will be more in the range of a finishing piece than a franchise swing.
The rest of the reinforcements are already on the roster, healing through the bye, and that combination might be all the 49ers need to make a deep run into the playoffs.
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