49ers Seek Defensive Boost in Free Agency

Predictions include signing Falcons' Ebiketie and reuniting Bosa brothers

Feb. 12, 2026 at 9:23pm by Ben Kaplan

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The San Francisco 49ers are looking to bolster their roster this offseason through free agency, with predictions that they will sign edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie from the Atlanta Falcons and potentially reunite the Bosa brothers by signing Joey Bosa from the Buffalo Bills. The 49ers also hope to re-sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings to strengthen their receiving corps.

Why it matters

The 49ers made the playoffs in 2025 despite some injuries, but they are still a few moves away from being a true Super Bowl contender. Improving their pass rush and receiving options could help them take the next step and make a deeper postseason run.

The details

The 49ers have around $42 million in cap space to work with this offseason. Ebiketie, 27, had 12 sacks in 2023-24 but saw his production drop to just 2 last season with the Falcons. A change of scenery could help him regain his form as a solid rotational pass rusher. As for Joey Bosa, 30, he had only 5 sacks for the Bills last season but led the NFL with 5 forced fumbles. Reuniting with his brother Nick on the 49ers' defensive line could be enticing. The 49ers also hope to re-sign Jauan Jennings, 28, who has 15 touchdown catches over the last two seasons, to bolster their receiving corps.

  • The 49ers' 2025 season ended with a divisional round playoff loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.

The players

Arnold Ebiketie

A 27-year-old edge rusher who played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.

Joey Bosa

A 30-year-old edge rusher who played for the Buffalo Bills in 2025.

Jauan Jennings

A 28-year-old wide receiver who played for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025.

Nick Bosa

Joey Bosa's brother, who is a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers.

Brandon Aiyuk

A wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who missed the 2025 season due to a major knee injury.

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What they’re saying

“Ebiketie, 27, got pushed aside with Atlanta using two first-round picks on rookie edge rushers in 2025. After 12 sacks in 2023-24, he managed just two last season, even as the Falcons' defense leaped from 31 sacks to 57 in 2025. That's not to say he can't get back to a solid rotational role in a fresh start — could he follow Raheem Morris to San Francisco, or reunite with Ryan Nielsen in Minnesota? A one-year deal in the $6-8 million range would let him reset himself for 2027.”

— Greg Auman, NFL Writer (FOXSports.com)

“Bosa, 30, had only five sacks in a healthy first season in Buffalo, but he did lead the NFL with five forced fumbles. He should get a deal similar to the $12.6 million he got a year ago. With two playoff wins in 10 years in the league, might he consider taking less to join his brother Nick with the 49ers and try to make a meaningful postseason push? Buffalo is over the cap as it is, so it might look to go younger rather than bringing Bosa back.”

— Greg Auman, NFL Writer (FOXSports.com)

“Jennings, 28, could benefit as San Francisco is expected to move on from Brandon Aiyuk, who missed 2025 recovering from a major knee injury. The 49ers' receiving corps has underwhelmed — Jennings has 15 touchdown catches over the last two seasons, but he also totaled 643 yards this season on 90 targets, ranking 55th among NFL receivers in yards/target. If he's getting more than $20 million a year, could he price himself out of San Francisco's budget?”

— Greg Auman, NFL Writer (FOXSports.com)

What’s next

The 49ers will need to navigate the free agency period and make strategic signings to address their roster needs, with the goal of building a stronger team capable of making a deep playoff run in 2026.

The takeaway

The 49ers are looking to bolster their defense and passing game through free agency, targeting players like Ebiketie and the Bosa brothers to improve their pass rush, while also hoping to retain Jennings to strengthen their receiving corps. These moves could help the 49ers take the next step and become a true Super Bowl contender.