Looks like the 49ers have already found a replacement for star DE Nick Bosa. Shortly after hosting six players for a workout on Tuesday, the Niners GM John Lynch announced that he’s looking to make a trade to acquire a strong defensive talent.

“Of course. That’s our job to look at the market to see who might be available,” he said. Guess who was at the workout? Shilo Sanders, who signed with the Bays as an undrafted free agent before ultimately being waived. 

Could he be the one? Unlikely. Reports suggest that the Niners are not planning to acquire him. Instead, they added safety Jaylen Mahoney to the practice squad. 

Let’s rewind a little. The trouble for San Francisco began when Bosa left Sunday’s game with a knee injury. As much as the 49ers hoped it wasn’t a torn ACL, the MRI revealed exactly that. Just like that, he was out of the season. On Tuesday, the Niners hosted DE William Bradley-King, DE Titus Leo, LB Isaiah Thomas, DB Brandon Joseph, DB Mahoney, and Sanders. 

This ascertained that the Niners are seeking outside reinforcement for their defense, not free agents, but trade options. “Our history shows, when you’ve got guys like Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and the list goes on and on of players we’ve acquired via trade, that we’re not afraid,” confirmed the General Manager.

That’s why they are not too afraid to test the water outside. Though Lynch didn’t explicitly say anything about the six free agents they hosted, his decision to seek players via trade suggests the Niners did not find Sanders worth signing. 

They aren’t expecting wonders as Lynch emphaized being well aware of the fact that finding a defensive player who “does what Nick does” is next to impossible. “We’ll see what’s out there at the appropriate time,” he added. But are they desperate to do so? 

Bosa might not be there, but the 49ers still have rookie Mykel Williams and veteran Bryce Huff to handle things. Williams, in particular, has shown steady improvement and is expected to take on a bigger role in Bosa’s absence. “We’re going to rely on the guys we have, and we believe in our group,” Lynch said, expressing his confidence in the internal options. 

Shilo Sanders remains optimistic about his NFL future

Sanders made his entry in the league on the Buccaneers’ back. But it didn’t last long. He was waived off by the franchise during the 53-man roster deadline in August. It happened after the safety made headlines for throwing a punch in the preseason. The Bays released him less than a day later, and the NFL imposed a fine of $4,669. Many assumed it would take Sanders a long time to grab a place on the 53-man roster, which only became more true when the Niners passed on him. But he hasn’t lost faith; instead, he plans to use this time more wisely. 

“I feel like this is just part of my story to grow and do bigger and better things,” Sanders said last month in August. “Whether it’s finding another team, whether it’s getting another opportunity in the NFL, it is what it is.” It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when your career has just begun, but Shilo is learning to accept things as they are. 

As for his time with the Bucs, it was “nothing but great. The city, my teammates, my coaches, everybody has poured in love and support toward me, and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” added the safety. His gridiron journey in college began with South Carolina, then Jackson State, before ultimately finding a place in Colorado. With his father as head coach, he completed his last season by recording 67 tackles, two passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.