SANTA CLARA — Since the start of the 2023 season, the 49ers have been looking for someone — anyone — to set the edge opposite Nick Bosa on the defensive line.
Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebuakam exited, the Niners tried Drake Jackson and Randy Gregory, traded for Chase Young, and had Cle Ferrell and a late-stage Kerry Hyder Jr. in the mix at right defensive end. The Niners, desperate for a solution, even put Arik Armstead back on the outside of the line for snaps.
They were failures across the board.