The San Francisco 49ers are off to a 3-0 start in 2025, but the team has been hit hard by injuries, including one to Nick Bosa, who’s been one of the 49ers’ top defensive players since being drafted in 2019.
With Bosa out, General Manager John Lynch revealed his plan to strengthen the 49ers’ pass rush moving forward.
John Lynch Outlines 49ers’ Plan to Replace Nick Bosa After Season-Ending Injury
The 49ers and Bosa received devastating news on Monday, after an MRI revealed that the superstar pass rusher had torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to surgery.
It’s a massive blow to San Francisco’s defense. Since being drafted No. 2 overall in 2019, Bosa has been one of the league’s top players, racking up 64.5 career sacks, earning five Pro Bowl selections, and winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Bosa had already notched two sacks in his first three games this season, and the team will need to replace his presence on the defensive line in one way or another.
John Lynch revealed that the 49ers’ plan to fill Bosa’s void is to look to the depth pieces already on the roster, while also exploring adding talent via free agency or trades.
John Lynch on if they’ll look to make a trade now that Nick Bosa is out for the season:
“Of course we’re always looking. That’s our job. We’re not afraid and we’ve been effective in doing that. This is no different. I do think we’re a deep group there, and that depth’s going to… pic.twitter.com/9gNmz25DPX
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 25, 2025
“Of course, we’re always looking,” Lynch said. “That’s our job. We’re not afraid, and we’ve been effective in doing that. This is no different. I do think we’re a deep group there, and that depth’s going to be tested. We’ll see what’s out there at the appropriate time.”
Outside Bosa, the 49ers have a fairly ragtag group of defensive ends. Only one other defensive lineman, Bryce Huff, has recorded a sack this season. While Huff is effective as a pass rusher, he’s a specialist and doesn’t play every down, as he struggles against the run.
MORE: 49ers Get Devastating Nick Bosa News As Awful Injury Luck Continues
Alongside Huff, the team has 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams and veterans Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu. All three will need to step up in Bosa’s absence.
Regarding talent the 49ers can acquire, there’s very little help at defensive end available in free agency right now. They could consider signing a veteran to add some depth, like Jerry Hughes or DeMarcus Walker, but neither would make a huge impact.
With San Francisco off to a 3-0 start, they don’t want to waste this season. That makes a trade for a pass rusher a logical option. Targeting a player on a struggling team with an expiring contract could work, such as Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals, or a more affordable option like Malcolm Koonce from the Raiders.
Regardless, it looks like Lynch is prepared to do his due diligence and could make a move that helps the 49ers remain contenders in 2025, even without Bosa.
