The San Francisco 49ers enter the 2026 offseason with a glaring need at left guard, a position that undermined their offensive line stability throughout the 2025 season.
Despite my early optimism, the combination of Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch proved inadequate for a team with championship ambitions. Burford, once viewed as a promising talent, struggled mightily in all categories. In fact, he statistically ranked as the worst starting left guard in the NFL for pass protection in 2025, with a run-blocking grade of 62.6 and a pass-blocking grade of 48.5 courtesy of PFF, a distinction that no contender can afford.
While Bartch provided a modest upgrade, his inability to stay healthy—missing considerable time last season—further destabilized the unit. With both players now pending free agents, the 49ers face a crucial crossroads in their quest to keep their Super Bowl window open.
As of today, the 49ers' left guard depth chart is uninspiring. Connor Colby, who would be the starter if the season began today, isn't good enough for a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Relying on Colby would be a gamble for head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch—a gamble I wouldn't expect them to take.
High-Impact Solutions
To make a substantial upgrade, the 49ers must explore free agency for proven talent. The premier option is Joel Bitonio, the decorated Cleveland Browns guard.
Bitonio, 34, is contemplating retirement but remains one of the league's elite interior linemen, boasting two first-team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl nods.
Newly appointed Browns head coach Todd Monken is actively recruiting Bitonio for another season in Cleveland, and while the odds of his departure appear slim, the 49ers offer a compelling pitch—a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl title.
If Lynch and Shanahan can entice Bitonio to chase a championship in San Francisco, it would be a significant upgrade for the offensive line, bringing veteran leadership and unmatched consistency. Having (potentially) Trent Williams and Bitonio on the left side would be a huge benefit to the 49ers' offense.
Should Bitonio remain in Cleveland or retire, the 49ers have another attractive free agent target: Isaac Seumalo from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At 32, Seumalo earned a strong 74.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2025, ranking him 12th among all guards league-wide. He excelled particularly in pass protection, a critical need for San Francisco, while remaining a serviceable run blocker. Seumalo was widely regarded as Pittsburgh's top offensive lineman last season, surrendering just 15 total pressures and three sacks across 14 games.
Spotrac projects his annual salary at $9.6 million—a potential bargain for a player of his caliber.
The NFL Draft
If free agency does not yield the desired reinforcement, the draft offers several intriguing prospects. Here are four of the top guards set to enter the NFL Draft.
Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State) had been recently mocked to the 49ers late in the first round.
Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon), Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech), and Chase Bisontis (Texas A&M) are three others to consider outside of the first round.
Each brings a unique skill set, and while rookies often face a learning curve, potentially playing alongside Trent Williams can help mask some deficiencies a rookie may have, particularly early on in the season.
Whether signing a proven veteran like Joel Bitonio or Isaac Seumalo, or investing in a top draft prospect, the 49ers must shore up their offensive line to maximize their championship window and keep Purdy upright.