Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Aaron Donald is back in the NFL, and it's making the Rams even scarier heading into Week 1 — so what does that mean for the 49ers? NFL insider Brian Baldinger joins the show to break down the Donald comeback, the growing injury concerns around the Bay Area, and whether San Francisco should be making a run at a blockbuster trade of their own. Baldinger doesn't hold back on the state of the Niners defense, admitting it's nearly impossible to evaluate a unit that's dealing with a new defensive coordinator, no healthy safeties, and major questions around Nick Bosa's recovery from a third ACL tear. He also digs into whether Brock Purdy can elevate an unproven receiving room, what role Christian McCaffrey will play, and why he thinks the 49ers should be aggressively pursuing a trade for Maxx Crosby.
Topics discussed include:
Aaron Donald's shocking return to the Rams and what it means for the NFC West
Nick Bosa's ACL recovery timeline and how concerned Niners fans should be
Whether San Francisco should trade for Raiders star MaxxCrosby
Brock Purdy and the uncertainty around the 49ers' receiving corps
The Raheem Morris effect on a defense stuck on its fourth coordinator in four years
Why "September is the new August" for evaluating NFL teams this year
Do you agree with Baldy's take? Should the Niners go all-in and trade for Maxx Crosby, or is the defense too much of a question mark to make a move? Drop your take in the comments.
0:00 – Aaron Donald Returns, Rams Get Scarier
4:24 – Injury Concerns Around the NFL & Bay Area
7:12 – Should the Niners Trade for Maxx Crosby?
9:47 – Niners Offense: Who Can Brock Purdy Trust?
13:07 – Niners Defense Mystery & Season Outlook
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Aaron Donald is back in the NFL, and it's making the Rams even scarier heading into Week 1 — so what does that mean for the 49ers? NFL insider Brian Baldinger joins the show to break down the Donald comeback, the growing injury concerns around the Bay Area, and whether San Francisco should be making a run at a blockbuster trade of their own. Baldinger doesn't hold back on the state of the Niners defense, admitting it's nearly impossible to evaluate a unit that's dealing with a new defensive coordinator, no healthy safeties, and major questions around Nick Bosa's recovery from a third ACL tear. He also digs into whether Brock Purdy can elevate an unproven receiving room, what role Christian McCaffrey will play, and why he thinks the 49ers should be aggressively pursuing a trade for Maxx Crosby.
Topics discussed include:
Aaron Donald's shocking return to the Rams and what it means for the NFC West
Nick Bosa's ACL recovery timeline and how concerned Niners fans should be
Whether San Francisco should trade for Raiders star MaxxCrosby
Brock Purdy and the uncertainty around the 49ers' receiving corps
The Raheem Morris effect on a defense stuck on its fourth coordinator in four years
Why "September is the new August" for evaluating NFL teams this year
Do you agree with Baldy's take? Should the Niners go all-in and trade for Maxx Crosby, or is the defense too much of a question mark to make a move? Drop your take in the comments.
0:00 – Aaron Donald Returns, Rams Get Scarier
4:24 – Injury Concerns Around the NFL & Bay Area
7:12 – Should the Niners Trade for Maxx Crosby?
9:47 – Niners Offense: Who Can Brock Purdy Trust?
13:07 – Niners Defense Mystery & Season Outlook
Download the Audacy app to never miss any of your favorite 957 The Game content:
go.audacy.com/y-listen-live-957thegame
Listen live: audacy.com/957thegame/listen
Visit our website: 957thegame.com
Subscribe on Twitch: twitch.tv/957thegame
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/957thegame
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/957thegame
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/957thegame
Join our Newsletter: audacy.com/957thegame/join-our-clubs/mvp-club
