Kyle Shanahan Talks About 49ers Trade Deadline Strategy
The San Francisco 49ers are on a hot streak to begin the 2025 NFL season. Beating the Atlanta Falcons in week seven on Sunday Night Football to improve to 5-2 on the season, the 49ers have defied the odds and have once again looked like a team ready to compete in the NFC. Even with the number of injuries that the team is dealing with, the 49ers have found ways to win and are in first place in the NFC West.
But even in the midst of all the excitement, injuries have undoubtedly put a slight dimmer on the 49ers’ season. The team is already down stars like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for the rest of the season, while players such as George Kittle and Brock Purdy, among others have also missed time due to various ailments. And with the trade deadline approaching and the 49ers in the thick of the playoff hunt, head coach Kyle Shanahan shared his thoughts on Monday, Oct. 20 about the team’s approach at the deadline.
Shanahan Shares Deadline Thoughts
Losing Bosa left a massive hole at pass rush, leading to speculation about if the 49ers would make a move for an edge rusher. But in recent weeks, offseason acquisition Bryce Huff has stepped up and filled the void left by Bosa. But against the Falcons, Huff sustained an injury that will keep him out for a couple of weeks, adding to the growing list of 49ers injuries. Still, the 49ers have been playing hard and have kept themselves atop the NFC, which could force the 49ers to make a move to keep their season alive. But even if a move is made, the 49ers need to be careful not to give up too much of their future.
“I don’t like to say imperative [that a player we acquire via trade must help next year] at all just because I don’t like to put an absolute on anything,” Shanahan said on Monday. “But yeah, I think that’s something that we definitely would prefer. Of course, we want someone to help us out this year, but I’d love it not to be at the expense of our team next year also. I know we all feel that way, and hopefully, we can find a situation that does both. And If not, you don’t do something like that just to do it. I’m really excited about the guys we have in our building right now also.”
Making a move for a pass rusher, or another position of need, is very feasible given the amount of talent on losing teams, but with only five draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the 49ers cannot really afford to give up that much draft capital. However with a big draft class in 2025, bringing in a guy via a trade allows time for those young guys to develop and become a bigger part of the team in the future.
Can the 49ers Win It All With This Group?
The 49ers may be 5-2, but the season only gets harder from here. The regular season schedule is pretty favorable for the 49ers, but if the team makes the postseason, they will have face stiff competition coming out of the NFC. A young and banged up team, it will be very hard for the 49ers to get through those top teams in the playoffs– especially with the way this team is currently constructed.
49ers DC Robert Saleh Gives Blunt Response to Head Coaching Rumors
The San Francisco 49ers boast an opportunistic defense and a high powered offense led by a surprising QB, Mac Jones, heading into Sunday's 1 p.m. ET matchup with the Houston Texans in Houston.
The 49ers' defense is coached by former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who is known throughout NFL circles as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game.
Saleh, a native of Michigan, has been linked to college football head coaching jobs recently during an NFL season that is still in full swing.
On Thursday, Saleh's was asked about the rumors and gave a blunt, forward thinking response.
Saleh Shifts Focus From Head Coach Reports
Saleh wasn't in the mood to talk about hypothetical future coaching positions as he shut down a reporter's question quickly.
"Some fans have already started preparing themselves mentally for your next head coaching opportunity," one reporter said to Saleh before asking if a head coaching job is his "end game."
"End game is trying to find a win on Sunday," Saleh said. "We'll go from there," he added before abruptly walking away from the podium.
Defensive Starters Give it a Go at Practice
The 49ers received positive news on starting defensive players this week as cornerbacks Upton Stout and Renardo Green were both limited but participated in Wednesday's session.
Stout missed the 49ers' win over the Falcons due to an ankle injury. Green played through a neck injury but suffered a toe injury.
Defensive back Deommodore Lenoir's lingering quad injury has heightened the urgency surrounding Stout and Green's potential return against a CJ Stroud led passing attack that is talented enough to give any NFL defense problems.
49ers Preparing for Challenging Game
The 49ers are slight favorites heading into Sunday's game despite tough-luck injuries including one to QB Brock Purdy that has called his status for the game into question.
Purdy is battling a turf toe problem that has kept him out since September 28 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and has played in just two games this season.
The 49ers' star players including Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey give coach Kyle Shanahan's team enough firepower to compete with and beat anyone leaguewide but Sunday's game is a different kind of test with major playoff implications in both conferences riding on it.
