Until proven otherwise, the Seattle Seahawks should be considered the team to beat. That's not only in the NFC West, but in the entire league. They're the defending Super Bowl champions and have most of their core players coming back, so why shouldn't they?
Of course, that won't stop other teams from aiming at their crown. The Los Angeles Rams made a huge splash by trading for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett, and they look like the biggest threat in the way.
The San Francisco 49ers, however, haven't done much -- if anything -- to get back at the team that eliminated them last season. Instead, they seem to be holding out in the hope that Maxx Crosby will become available and -- more importantly -- they'll be able to get him.
The San Francisco 49ers may not have an answer for the Seattle Seahawks in 2026
For most of the offseason, the 49ers have been tangled up in multiple mock trades for Crosby. However, they didn't even win his sweepstakes when he was nearly traded to the Baltimore Ravens, so why would things be any different now?
For starters, the Las Vegas Raiders would want to move him again, and that's a big 'if.' Even if they struggle again next season, teams may not be willing to give up two first-round picks for him, given the concerns about his knee. They may not have many -- if any -- incentives to trade him for pennies on the dollar.
Then, if the Raiders do decide to move Crosby, there's absolutely no indication whatsoever that the 49ers would win his sweepstakes. The Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys should all be interested, and maybe even the Seahawks could throw their name in the hat. Anything tying him to San Francisco is just speculation and wishful thinking.
Mike Macdonald's defense had Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers in a chokehold last season. They didn't even allow them to score a single touchdown in their final two meetings, and the games weren't particularly close.
While the defense also struggled to contain the Seahawks late in the season, they should be looking for ways to find paydirt when they play Seattle. With all due respect, 32-year-old Mike Evans, 29-year-old Christian Kirk, and rookie De'Zhaun Stribling shouldn't move the needle that much in that regard.
The San Francisco 49ers, like many other teams, should definitely be all over Maxx Crosby if he becomes available, but they can't simply hope that a player who isn't even on their team will come to rescue them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google