49ers Offensive Line

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:
I know everyone one on here wants to replace/improve the center position, but I think that will do absolutely nothing if we don't get the LG fixed too. Even if we had the top center in the league, the play of the LG will just bring down the C play. The whole line needs to work together and a great center with weak guards will not do much imo. I point out the LG more because I'm hoping our RG maybe wakes up from the sophomore slump next year. Burford or Bartch isn't the answer at LG when we play great dlines.

A top tier center helps weak guards more than they hurt him imo. Right now, we have a terrible lg and bad center. Puni was meh most of the year, but I think that injury got him. Perhaps the biggest tell is how bad the running lanes were. Sure maybe CMC is a half step slower this year, but we really were s**t run blocking. It was a bit surprising.

They need to draft bodies, large athletic kids they think they can coach up. (Gulp) We keep using leftovers and while he gets great results overall with them, they are outmatched in the playoffs.

Run blocking looked much better when Matt Hennessy was in at Center.

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Originally posted by Heroism:

Donte Whitner on the biggest reason the 49ers lost to the Seahawks last weekend:

"In the trenches the Seahawks are bigger, stronger, and meaner than the 49ers. Whenever you hear people talk about football, what do they say? The game is won in the trenches… Until the 49ers… pic.twitter.com/sqCd3Lm6IQ

— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) January 22, 2026

sadly, we all know it won't happen. They might upgrade one spot along the OL, but all 3 interior spots can and should be upgraded. What they're fielding out there isn't close to being good enough. They're going to get their asses kicked again next year.

I have a hunch they may finally address the o-line it because while Kyle is stubborn, he's not stupid. The first thing he and Lynch did was build the trenches. Now they've ignored and/or missed on it many times never mind injuries.... I mean there is no way he reviews the film and thinks the line is ok, especially against a division rival. Time for some big mean nasties in the middle.

I don't think they do. Part of the excuse of giving Purdy 265 million is because he's mobile enough in the pocket to not need JimmyG type protection. The investment is going to probably be on Defense again, they've already told us their philosophy, that Offense can be coached up but D needs talent. We currently have serious question marks on the back end of our D and with a bunch of our talent on that side attempting to return from season ending injuries we don't know how they'll look.

Tjey have been coaching these guys for a minimum of 4 years. They aren't getting that much better. The fight has come to them in the form of in division dominant D lines. And its two different teams. They are being forced the address the interior. As I said 13, 3, and 6 points against Seattle.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Tjey have been coaching these guys for a minimum of 4 years. They aren't getting that much better. The fight has come to them in the form of in division dominant D lines. And its two different teams. They are being forced the address the interior. As I said 13, 3, and 6 points against Seattle.

The top picks will be on defense again, but as early as the third or 4th round we will start taking WR and OL. I am for at least 6 draft picks being spent on the trenches. Starting with defense because top tier talent will be found early at our pick there but thereafter we need guards and center to be addressed as well. At least 6 picks spent in the trenches

Originally posted by Kolohe:

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:
I know everyone one on here wants to replace/improve the center position, but I think that will do absolutely nothing if we don't get the LG fixed too. Even if we had the top center in the league, the play of the LG will just bring down the C play. The whole line needs to work together and a great center with weak guards will not do much imo. I point out the LG more because I'm hoping our RG maybe wakes up from the sophomore slump next year. Burford or Bartch isn't the answer at LG when we play great dlines.

A top tier center helps weak guards more than they hurt him imo. Right now, we have a terrible lg and bad center. Puni was meh most of the year, but I think that injury got him. Perhaps the biggest tell is how bad the running lanes were. Sure maybe CMC is a half step slower this year, but we really were s**t run blocking. It was a bit surprising.

They need to draft bodies, large athletic kids they think they can coach up. (Gulp) We keep using leftovers and while he gets great results overall with them, they are outmatched in the playoffs.

Run blocking looked much better when Matt Hennessy was in at Center.

Yes, Brendel sucks. I get he is incredible value. But if Kyle can make a bum a bottom tier starter, what can he do with an all-pro center? That's been my argument for years. They need better talent along the line. Kyle, Purdy, and a dominant o-line = playoff caliber every year.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Tjey have been coaching these guys for a minimum of 4 years. They aren't getting that much better. The fight has come to them in the form of in division dominant D lines. And its two different teams. They are being forced the address the interior. As I said 13, 3, and 6 points against Seattle.

Exactly my thinking.

Originally posted by Pillbusta:
The top picks will be on defense again, but as early as the third or 4th round we will start taking WR and OL. I am for at least 6 draft picks being spent on the trenches. Starting with defense because top tier talent will be found early at our pick there but thereafter we need guards and center to be addressed as well. At least 6 picks spent in the trenches

Wouldn't be surprised. Trenches need to be a priority given the current state of the division. They need to actually hit on these picks though.

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Tjey have been coaching these guys for a minimum of 4 years. They aren't getting that much better. The fight has come to them in the form of in division dominant D lines. And its two different teams. They are being forced the address the interior. As I said 13, 3, and 6 points against Seattle.

I think there's a chance we see some decent investment, I'm expecting one draft pick one mid range free agent. I agree that the reason being is the Seahawks exposed it and the Rams caused problems as well and they won't want to be bullied. Kyle loves to establish the run, and he's seen how hard it was against them.

From the article on the front page Brendel is a potential cut casualty because he's paid more than he's worth and is ranked 31 out of 40 centers. I guess that's nicer than saying 31st (with only 32teams).

Hes in his 30s too. Although he's been reliable he shouldn't be leading our Oline.

Originally posted by mitpdub:
From the article on the front page Brendel is a potential cut casualty because he's paid more than he's worth and is ranked 31 out of 40 centers. I guess that's nicer than saying 31st (with only 32teams).

Hes in his 30s too. Although he's been reliable he shouldn't be leading our Oline.

Shanahan really needs to move on from him if he wants his offense to get better. He creates zero running lanes for CMC up the middle which makes us think CMC lost a step. Smfh

Originally posted by Cisco0623:

Originally posted by DRCHOWDER:
I know everyone one on here wants to replace/improve the center position, but I think that will do absolutely nothing if we don't get the LG fixed too. Even if we had the top center in the league, the play of the LG will just bring down the C play. The whole line needs to work together and a great center with weak guards will not do much imo. I point out the LG more because I'm hoping our RG maybe wakes up from the sophomore slump next year. Burford or Bartch isn't the answer at LG when we play great dlines.

A top tier center helps weak guards more than they hurt him imo. Right now, we have a terrible lg and bad center. Puni was meh most of the year, but I think that injury got him. Perhaps the biggest tell is how bad the running lanes were. Sure maybe CMC is a half step slower this year, but we really were s**t run blocking. It was a bit surprising.

They need to draft bodies, large athletic kids they think they can coach up. (Gulp) We keep using leftovers and while he gets great results overall with them, they are outmatched in the playoffs.

I should've worded it better, than say it will absolutely do nothing.... it definitely will improve but wont be that big of a difference if we don't get better guards.

I'm hoping they sign Connor McGovern ( 6'5"/318/34" ) . Get bigger at center and then use the 1st pick for an OT to replace Williams in 2027. Plug him in at LG for the 2026 season.

Originally posted by 49erBigMac:

Originally posted by LifelongNiner:
Tjey have been coaching these guys for a minimum of 4 years. They aren't getting that much better. The fight has come to them in the form of in division dominant D lines. And its two different teams. They are being forced the address the interior. As I said 13, 3, and 6 points against Seattle.

I think there's a chance we see some decent investment, I'm expecting one draft pick one mid range free agent. I agree that the reason being is the Seahawks exposed it and the Rams caused problems as well and they won't want to be bullied. Kyle loves to establish the run, and he's seen how hard it was against them.

i dont have the stats but i feel its because teams were really able to stack the box against us and trust that their DB can guard our receivers one on one.

If we had a bit more talent in the WR room i think the problem is solved

Beating that Seattle defense starts in the trenches—specifically the interior OL. The 49ers must be able to run the ball against that light front. Macdonald wants to stay in nickel with a light box the entire game. You have to punish them for doing that by running the ball. If you can effectively run the ball and force them to respect the run, it messes with their 2-high shell because they have to bring a safety down into the box, which opens up the passing game. That leads to pass protection issue. You can't continue to let them win with 4.

It's imperative that the IOL is upgraded this offseason. They need to get bigger and more physical upfront, or else they stand no shot at beating Seattle next season.

They won't address it fellas. I'm not even going to get my hopes up. It's been a problem for the last 3 years. A main reason we lost the SB. And they still roll Burford out there

Originally posted by lamontb:
They won't address it fellas. I'm not even going to get my hopes up. It's been a problem for the last 3 years. A main reason we lost the SB. And they still roll Burford out there

It's been a problem since day 1. Biggest investment we've made in the interior that worked in nearly a decade was laken.

Shanahan and Lynch will not build the Oline. They think Shanahan can scheme his way to better protection.

We will never have an Oline that is stronger and tougher than anyone's DLine because Shanahan values mobile linemen,

Originally posted by Heroism:
Beating that Seattle defense starts in the trenches—specifically the interior OL. The 49ers must be able to run the ball against that light front. Macdonald wants to stay in nickel with a light box the entire game. You have to punish them for doing that by running the ball. If you can effectively run the ball and force them to respect the run, it messes with their 2-high shell because they have to bring a safety down into the box, which opens up the passing game. That leads to pass protection issue. You can't continue to let them win with 4.

It's imperative that the IOL is upgraded this offseason. They need to get bigger and more physical upfront, or else they stand no shot at beating Seattle next season.

This is exactly what I was saying in the game day thread. You gotta build hogs up front. Problem is Kyle likes quick light oline guys for his zone scheme.

If you can consistently run for 4 yards a carry up the middle that entire scheme with its current personnel gets blown up. We ain't doing that with our current center and LG. They need to get nasty in there.

There's no way in hell they can roll out the same line next year, is there?