With the days counting down to the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline, it makes sense why the San Francisco 49ers would be included in plenty a rumor and suggestion about executing a deal or two.
Especially in light of the swarm of injuries they've suffered since the beginning of the season.
At 4-2, general manager John Lynch nevertheless has to tread carefully going forward, particularly after losing star defenders like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to season-ending injuries. While those massive setbacks don't automatically derail the season, they assuredly hinder San Francisco's chances of making a serious postseason run.
That might be why the 49ers are a little less intent on aggressively pursuing a big-name pass-rusher, such as the Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, even if he'd be the ideal fit by a wide margin to help alleviate Bosa's loss.
According to a pre-deadline report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Niners view the pending 2026 free agent as a prime target.
But he might not be the most realistic one, and that's something Lynch and Co. have to take into account.
Arden Key might be 49ers' primary NFL trade deadline target after Fred Warner injury
There's no questioning Warner's injury drastically alters San Francisco's trade-deadline plans. The 49ers, who already committed to a youth movement last offseason, likely aim to do so again in 2026, meaning giving up premium NFL Draft capital to acquire an aging veteran like Hendrickson for what'd likely be a half-season rental doesn't necessarily add up.
Instead, going with a much cheaper option (especially in terms of trade assets) might be the preferred choice.
That's where defensive end Arden Key of the Tennessee Titans comes into play.
Still think any trade the #49ers make will be a smaller one. Maybe someone like Arden Key.
Honestly, SF shouldn’t even consider a high draft pick. They badly need to upgrade the o-line next year and they’re not getting a LT of the future without a 1st or 2nd round pick.
— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) October 15, 2025
Key was mentioned in the Fowler piece as a potential Niners trade target, especially in the wake of Tennessee firing head coach Brian Callahan. The Titans are likely to try moving any movable assets, Key included, to obtain as many rebuild chips as possible for 2026 and beyond.
San Francisco fans should remember how the third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2018 had a career-resurgent season with the 49ers in 2021, notching a career-best 6.5 sacks before tenures with both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Titans thereafter.
With 1.5 sacks over five games to date, the 29-year-old veteran wouldn't be a one-on-one replacement for Bosa by any means.
But, Key would at least provide some much-needed thump and depth, and his prior experience in a system still implemented by coordinator Robert Saleh would be beneficial.
Acquiring Key wouldn't be the splashiest of moves, although it'd be one of the more realistic ones the Niners could engineer in light of their updated post-Bosa and post-Warner context.