The San Francisco 49ers made one move leading up to the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4, acquiring defensive end Keion White from the New England Patriots before staying mostly silent on the deadline day itself.
General manager John Lynch later revealed other teams' asking prices were simply too high for the Niners trying to stockpile their banged-up defense, leading to some frustrating inaction by the time the 4 p.m. ET deadline had passed.
Whether or not those efforts included trying to go after Miami Dolphins defensive end Bradley Chubb is anyone's guess. Chubb was one of several pass-rusher previously linked to San Francisco after it lost Nick Bosa to a season-ending ACL tear, and the need was only magnified following the loss of rookie defensive end Mykel Williams to the same injury.
The 49ers have to get by with what they have for the rest of 2025.
But, that won't completely prevent them from potentially targeting Chubb this offseason, as Bleacher Report suggested.
49ers linked to Bradley Chubb in proposed offseason trade
It looks as if Chubb will stay put in South Beach. But, after the Dolphins parted ways with general manager Chris Grier, it's possible yet another regime takes over in 2026, which also might include giving the boot to embattled head coach Mike McDaniel.
B/R's Moe Moton hypothesized several would-be trades this upcoming offseason, one including Chubb that listed the Niners as an ideal suitor for the cost of a day-three draft pick:
"After the 2025 season, Chubb has no guaranteed money on his deal, which makes him more appealing on the trade market. Interested teams will likely rework his contract to fit it under the salary cap upon acquiring him, rather than take on his current deal.
Coming off a torn ACL, Chubb is still a solid three-down defender in his eighth season. He's recorded 25 tackles, five for loss, four sacks and seven pressures while on the field for 68 percent of the defensive snaps.
Another year removed from a significant knee injury, Chubb can draw interest from clubs in need of a complementary edge-rusher.
Ideal Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers"
Chubb, who'll turn 30 years old this summer, already has four sacks a year removed from his 2024 ACL tear. And while he might not be a Bosa-like premier pass-rusher at this stage of his career, he'd nevertheless be a complementary piece, as Moton suggested.
Such a move would allow San Francisco to rotate Williams inside on obvious passing downs, and it'd also give some decision flexibility on the last remaining top-end pass-rusher available, Bryce Huff.
There'll likely be more suitors for Chubb's services this offseason, assuming he's made available, and it'd be interesting to see if the 49ers go against last offseason's approach of trying to get younger and cheaper.
Still, the need is apparent, and getting a proven commodity who's healthier than the bulk of the Niners' on-roster options makes a lot of sense.