OK, the gang’s all back together.
But another happy reunion can’t be the extent of general manager John Lynch’s dealings with still two weeks to go until the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline. If the 49ers are going to keep pace in the NFC West arms race, DeForest Buckner needs to be the first move — not the only move.
Despite their 6-1 record, the 49ers still have at least two clear areas that need to be addressed if Bucker and his old friends are going to achieve what eluded them their first time around.
San Francisco may be the odds-on Super Bowl favorite, but any bet on Kyle Shanahan finally hoisting the Lombardi trophy hinges on two total uncertainties:
The health of Nick Bosa and Mike Evans.
Bosa hasn’t played — or practiced — since straining his calf warming up for practice before Week 3. The outlook on Evans has been equally murky ever since Achilles tendinitis forced him out of their Week 6 win before halftime and led to him sitting out their 29-20 loss in Atlanta.
At full strength, the Niners can probably already book their accommodations in Los Angeles for the second week of February. But that’s an assumption they can’t afford to make.
And, having to only part with a fourth-round pick for a disruptive defensive tackle like Buckner, the 49ers have plenty of chips left to spend on a couple of potentially crucial insurance policies.
Sure, San Francisco expects Evans, Deebo Samuel and Demarcus Robinson all back after the bye week, and De’Zhaun Stribling should be back in time for the stretch run, too. But imagine injecting, say, Garrett Wilson to Brock Purdy’s complement of targets.
There’s been plenty of smoke connecting the Niners to the Jets’ dynamic receiver, and for good reason. Another true No. 1 option would allow San Francisco to give Evans all the time he needs to make sure his Achilles won’t rupture in the middle of a playoff run.
The former Ohio State first-rounder has been targeted more than six times just once in the Jets’ past four games. You can bet Shanahan and Purdy would be able to put him to better use.
In Buckner, the 49ers finally have the pass-rushing interior lineman they’ve been seeking ever since letting him walk in free agency after their first Super Bowl appearance in 2020.
Osa Odighizuwa has played the role nicely so far this season, but he’s been on the field for 74% of the 49ers’ defensive snaps, up from 63% last season with the Cowboys, and they’ll need him to be as fresh and effective down the stretch as he has been to begin the year.
Buckner (4.0) immediately took over the team lead in sacks from Keion White (3.5), the 49ers’ biggest midseason move a year ago. San Francisco still has yet to play a game this season with both Bosa and Mykel Williams, and White has helped them still piece together a pass rush.
But Lynch needs to think even bigger at this deadline.
Cracks began to show in the patchwork pass rush last week against the Falcons. The 49ers blitzed 11 times, pressured Michael Penix Jr. just twice on 39 dropbacks, and failed to record a sack.
For the first time all season, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris wasn’t able to scheme his way out of a personnel disadvantage. Who knows where the Falcons end up when it’s all said and done, but they provided the 49ers a preview of what’s to come in the playoffs.
The postseason is when the biggest stars shine, regardless of the game plan.
Players like Bosa, who can win any one-on-one battle and eat up double teams like a fourth meal. Or Maxx Crosby, or Khalil Mack, or Josh Sweat.
All three could be wearing the uniform of the highest bidder in two weeks time.
The 49ers have operated with a Super Bowl-or-bust mantra since they reported for training camp. Now, it’s time for Lynch to take that attitude and turn it into action.
Shanahan, Buckner, Samuel and Dre Greenlaw achieved great things the last time they were together. But they fell short of the ultimate prize, one piece away.
In an unexpected turn of events, they got a mulligan this season.
Lynch and the 49ers front office need to make the most of it.
