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Until the Trent Williams situation has a resolution, the San Francisco 49ers’ biggest need along the offensive line is at left guard.
The left guard spot was a revolving door in 2025 due to health and skill issues after Aaron Banks left for not-so-green pastures in Green Bay last offseason. Since Banks left, these players have taken over the helm at left guard with varying levels of success:
- Ben Bartch
- Spencer Burford
- Connor Colby
- Nick Zakelj
San Francisco would probably like more consistency from the spot next to big Trent in 2026. Maybe even somebody who has (albeit a short one) history under Kyle Shanahan.
Insert veteran left guard Joel Bitonio.
Bitonio has been with the Cleveland Browns for the entirety of his 12 seasons in the league. That means there was a quick intersection between the guard and Shanahan in Shanahan’s one tumultuous season in Cleveland. And while a quick stop in the long career of Shanahan, Bitonio is somebody he knows, and if Shanahan has proven one thing in his nine years as the 49ers head coach, it’s that he likes players he can trust, and Bitonio might fall into that category.
Now, it is a bit of a give-and-take with Bitonio. Yes, his best playing days are behind him, but he’s still an improvement on what the 49ers were throwing out there last season, and he can stay on the field. Bitonio has only missed two games since 2017, a bill of health that is almost unheard of in Santa Clara.
But while he’s been healthy, there have been signs of regression since his five straight All-Pro nods (second-team from 2018 to 2020, first-team from 2021 to 2022). Only three times in his career has Bitonio allowed more than 30 pressures and 20 hurries in a season, and all of those years have been the last three seasons:
- 2023: 35 pressures allowed, 28 hurries
- 2024: 32 pressures allowed, 28 hurries
- 2025: 31 pressures allowed, 24 hurries
While the pressures and hurries have increased, Bitonio hasn’t allowed sacks, allowing just eight from 2023 to 2025, with no more than three allowed in any of the seasons.
In terms of the 49ers’ offensive line, however, Bitonio’s “regression” numbers are vastly better than what the left guards of 2025 put up. The foursome the 49ers put out last season combined to allow 48 pressures, 43 hurries, and five sacks, leaving plenty of room for improvement. Even in his age-35 season, Bitonio offers an upgrade.
It’s not without risk, as a potential Bitonio signing will make the entire left side of the 49ers line a ticking time bomb with Bitonio and Williams on the wrong side of 35. Still, it would give the 49ers another year or two to find a long-term solution, while also solving the current need at left guard.