While the San Francisco 49ers are making defensive adjustments of their own this offseason, one insider believes their arch rival is looking for their own splash move on that side in the secondary.
The San Francisco 49ers' defense regressed in a significant way last season. Despite the apparent star talent across the formation, it did not amount to the same success of years past.
Those struggles followed with some major offseason turnover. San Francisco lost contributors including Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Aaron Banks, and Talanoa Hufanga all to free agency.
That meant their talent acquisition would be crucial in rebounding for 2025. The Niners' hire of Robert Saleh to return as defensive coordinator spearheaded this charge and it just ended with collection of draft picks aimed at fixing this side of the ball.
While San Francisco is retooling and making these adjustments for next season, their rivals are venturing down the same road. In fact, the vaunted rival Los Angeles Rams could be cooking up a splash move for their own defense.
Los Angeles is believed to be one of the teams in contention for cornerback Jalen Ramsey. His current team, the Miami Dolphins, and his party have come to an agreement that his time with the franchise has come to an end, now hoping to help him find his next destination.
But that will ironically come at a cost for Miami. NFL insider Albert Breer believes that a deal with the Rams will mean their partner could ask them to eat over $24 million of his guaranteed salary.
In a deal where the Rams are this partner, this reality could cause a standstill between both sides. The Dolphins have a stringent cap situation, navigating the offseason carefully to keep their budget.
If the Rams will not work with them on some of those financials, that may delay or cancel Ramsey's reunion altogether.
That big time move may be in limbo for the Rams, but the Niners should keep an eye on what Los Angeles and their other two NFC West rivals look to do in the final stages of the offseason.
San Francisco has improved in hopes of climbing out of the division basement. There strongest foes have done the same, however, and will continue looking for the deals that move the needle.
