49ers 'Achilles heel' is a problem John Lynch should have solved already

The San Francisco 49ers made some key changes this offseason to the roster following an unexpectedly good 2025 season, considering all of the injuries they dealt with.

While they revamped the wide receiver room with additions of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and DeZhaun Stribling, there is one position that they have yet to properly address.

As ESPN's Nick Wagoner highlighted, the 49ers' pass rusher room is their "Achilles heel" as the roster currently stands. But this problem could've been resolved by John Lynch and the 49ers this offseason, and yet, they've not done so.

49ers 'Achilles heel' left unresolved

"Until proved otherwise: the pass rush and, by extension, the defense," Wagoner named as the 49ers' Achilles heel this upcoming season.

Last year's pass rush was terrible, finishing last in the league in sacks with just 20, three fewer than Myles Garrett, the new Los Angeles Rams edge rusher, had on his own.

While the 49ers will be getting Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams back for the 2026 season, after both sustained early injuries in 2025, there is still significant doubt about this defense.

For a unit that needed help, the 49ers' lack of offseason additions to the edge rusher group has been very questionable. Romello Height was the most noteworthy edge addition, and while the rookie could be a fun player, he's not a guaranteed hit.

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Osa Odighizuwa was a good trade pickup, and he should be a big help to the defensive front overall. But, considering how bad the 49ers were last season, it's odd that Lynch and Kyle Shanahan didn't go out and add more edge rusher help.

If the 49ers want to win the highly competitive NFC West, they're going to need better production from their pass rush unit. As it currently stands, it's their "Achilles heel," and one that could've been fixed if the 49ers made even one move this offseason.

They could still add someone in the trade market or pursue a veteran free agent like Von Miller or Joey Bosa. But, for now, it's hard not to question the pass rush plan with how much of an "Achilles heel" it was last year.

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