NFL.com recently identified the San Francisco 49ers as one of the NFL's most complete teams entering the 2026 season, making them a strong contender to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LXI.

Still, even the league's top teams have weaknesses, and that is true for the 49ers.


Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently highlighted one "fatal flaw" for every perceived Super Bowl contender, and for the 49ers, he pointed to a lingering concern along the offensive line.

Kay noted that head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive system relies heavily on dominating in the trenches, particularly when it comes to creating running lanes for star running back Christian McCaffrey. Additionally, the unit is tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Brock Purdy as he enters his fifth NFL season.

Most of San Francisco's offensive line spots appear settled, with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams continuing to anchor the unit. However, left guard remains a significant offseason question mark.

A competition is brewing between second-year lineman Connor Colby, veterans Robert Jones and Brett Toth, and rookie Carver Willis for the starting role.

"Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick in 2025, has perhaps the best chance of opening the year as the starter," Kay wrote. "While Colby is a homegrown talent with seven starts and 451 offensive snaps under his belt, he only earned a 50.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His 33.7 pass-blocking score rating was the third-worst at the position amongst the 81 guards who qualified last year.


"Rookie lineman Carver Willis could get an extended look at left guard in training camp. The fourth-rounder played tackle at Kansas State and Washington, but will need to move inside at the NFL level due to his physical limitations."

Bleacher Report's scouting department expressed concerns about Willis' limited range and below-average anchoring ability, which contributed to his pre-draft big board ranking of No. 149 overall and No. 17 among interior offensive linemen.

Meanwhile, Kay noted that Jones and Toth were signed to affordable one-year deals and are not viewed as long-term solutions or elite options at the position.

"Unless someone truly steps up and distinguishes themselves during camp, the 49ers are going to have a myriad of left guard issues throughout the upcoming season," Kay added. "It's a position that could become their Achilles heel as they try to finally break through and win a Super Bowl after multiple near-misses under Shanahan."

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