The San Francisco 49ers are more desperate for help at edge rusher than any other team in the NFL. With Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Bryce Huff all sidelined for significant time, the team barely has enough defensive linemen to field a full unit.
The approach of the Week 10 trade deadline had plenty of fans and analysts watching to see if the 49ers would pull off a trade to bring in reinforcements at the position. Jaelan Phillips was named a potential target, as the Miami Dolphins were reportedly open to dealing him.
But San Francisco just watched as an NFC rival scooped him up first. The Philadelphia Eagles landed a trade for Phillips, leaving the Niners with limited options remaining.
49ers lose out on Jaelan Phillips as Eagles pull off big trade
Per Adam Schefter, the Eagles gave the Dolphins a 2026 third-round pick for Phillips. The edge rusher is on the last year of his current contract and would likely net Philadelphia a decent compensatory pick if he chose to leave in free agency. The star defender now strengthens an already powerful roster for the defending Super Bowl champions, while the beat-up 49ers continue to struggle with injuries.
Trade rumors had been heating up around the veteran pass-rusher in recent weeks. The Dolphins have already fallen out of contention, and their change in general managers leaves players up for grabs. Multiple aging stars were reportedly on the block, and Miami seemed to have plenty of suitors.
Phillips could have been a perfect fit in San Francisco, as his positional versatility and pass-rushing ability make him a valuable player in almost any system. Robert Saleh could have used him in a variety of ways to patch the holes created by the absences of injured starters. The 26-year-old defender has dealt with injuries throughout his career and has never eclipsed ten sacks in a single season. Still, he’s been able to affect the game in a big way when he’s been on the field.
Now, the 49ers are forced to look elsewhere for help at the position. Stars like Trey Hendrickson are still available, although a trade of that magnitude seems unlikely at this point.
Instead, San Francisco could look to make a move for a player like Bradley Chubb, Jermaine Johnson, or Arden Key.
Whatever the next step is, this team desperately needs help on the defensive front.