In a bid to bolster their defensive line following Nick Bosa's season-ending torn ACL sustained in Week 3, the San Francisco 49ers are making moves to upgrade their edge rusher position. The team recently faced another setback with Bryce Huff sidelined due to a short-term hamstring injury. To address this urgent need, the 49ers have executed a trade with the New England Patriots, acquiring defensive end Keion White, as reported by veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
The trade agreement involves a pick-swap arrangement, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero. The Patriots will send White to the 49ers along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, while New England will receive a sixth-round pick in the same year. White, who is signed through 2026, originally came to the Patriots on a second-round contract, making this trade a strategic move for both teams.
Prior to this trade, Keion White had not played in Week 8, leading to speculation about his future with the Patriots. Ian Rapoport from NFL.com mentioned that New England was exploring trade options for White. Instead of missing the game due to injury, White was rested as the team looked to finalize a trade. During Jerod Mayo’s tenure in 2024, White started in 13 games and achieved five sacks along with 16 quarterback hits, a notable improvement from his rookie season where he recorded just one sack and five QB hits.
Despite these numbers, White has struggled to find his place this year, starting only one game without recording a sack or QB hit. Under head coach Mike Vrabel, White has seen his role diminish, with offseason acquisitions Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson taking precedence as the top EDGE players for the Patriots, rendering White expendable in this new regime.
The 49ers' pursuit of a strong edge rusher has been ongoing, with general manager John Lynch confirming their interest in making enhancements to the defensive line. Previously, the team explored the possibility of acquiring Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals, but Cincinnati has shown no interest in trading their contract-year sack ace.
In recent seasons, the 49ers have actively sought to strengthen their EDGE positions, having acquired players like Chase Young, Randy Gregory, and Charles Omenihu through trades. Additionally, Huff, who recorded a career-high 10 sacks in 2023 while under the guidance of then-Jets head coach Robert Saleh, rejoined the team this offseason and currently leads the 49ers with four sacks. Despite missing the last five games, Bosa still ranks second on the team with two sacks.
The 49ers are hopeful that this change in scenery will reinvigorate White's performance, providing the much-needed pass-rushing support that the team has lacked. Prior to finalizing the trade for White, the 49ers also conducted workouts with free-agent defensive ends Clelin Ferrell, Casey Toohill, Kingsley Jonathan, and Andrew Farmer, as reported by Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Ferrell, who previously started for the 49ers, finished the 2023 season with 3.5 sacks, making him a familiar face.
While the 49ers' acquisition of White may not be the last move they make this season, it underscores their commitment to enhancing their defense as they navigate the challenges of the current season.
