The San Francisco 49ers shouldn’t be doing as well as they are right now.
They’ve lost multiple players on both sides of the ball and haven’t had their starting quarterback for most of the season.
Even so, they’re still in playoff contention in the NFC West.
A lot of that has to do with coordinator Robert Saleh’s stellar defense.
That’s why it made sense that the organization looked to give him something more to work with, which is why they traded for New England Patriots pass rusher Keion White.
ESPN analyst Seth Walder gave them a flattering A-minus grade for the deal.
“The 49ers need pass-rushing help. Since Week 4, the first week after Nick Bosa’s season-ending ACL injury, the 49ers rank 26th in pass rush win rate. The four players who have played at least 100 snaps along the 49ers’ interior defensive line are Alfred Collins, Jordan Elliott, Kalia Davis and Mykel Williams. None of them have a double-digit win rate. Enter White, who I think could be quite a useful addition. White probably will be a rotational player at best for the 49ers but considering their need, the cost (almost nothing) and that the 49ers will have White under contract for only $1.8 million in 2026, I think this is quite a nifty deadline deal for San Francisco,” Walder wrote.
The Niners’ defense has been almost as good as always despite also losing Fred Warner to injury.
That’s a testament to Saleh’s schemes, but that doesn’t mean that the Niners can’t make life easier for him by giving him some more weapons.
Against all odds, the team has been able to weather the storm.
All things considered, it’s hard to believe that will be the only move the Niners will make before the NFL trade deadline.
This is a well-coached team, but it’s also an aging one, and as such, the 49ers know that they need to make the most of their Super Bowl window while it’s still open.
Due to their injuries, they may fly under the radar, but the Niners are still dangerous and a dark horse to win the NFC.
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