Starting in the Trenches: 49ers' Offensive Line Outlook Hinges on Ben Bartch

The key to a good offensive line is continuity. The San Francisco 49ers have their starting five with the newest addition on the left side at guard, Ben Bartch, who is dealing with an undisclosed injury. The 49ers finished fourth in offense last season, averaging 376.3 yards per game. They were fourth in passing yards (249.1) without their number one receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a knee injury, and 12th in rushing (127.2) without Christian McCaffrey, who battled Achilles tendinitis. In 2024, the offensive line allowed 127 pressures in a true pass set, giving eight sacks (tps) and ten sacks overall.

With the exit of starting left guard Aaron Banks to the Green Bay Packers in free agency, 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster has a vacant spot to fill at left guard. The frontrunner for the left guard position is veteran Ben Bartch, who played well during his limited time—due to injury—in 2024. Bartch only played 34 snaps in weeks 12, 13, and 14 of the 2024 season. He completed the season with a 74.0 pass block grade from Pro Football Focus, allowing only one pressure (a quarterback hurry) in an actual pass setting. He also finished with a 71.2 run blocking grade. Bartch's best performance came on the road in Buffalo against the Bills. Even in the snow, Bartch proved he could protect Purdy and create lanes for his running backs.

According to the most recent practice reports, Bartch departed from practice early and didn't return. The injury he sustained was unclear. Bartch recently began this offseason on the active/physically unable to perform list, but was cleared to practice and played in the first preseason game against the Denver Broncos. He played 15 snaps with the starting unit and finished with a 51.6 blocking grade. He was phenomenal on his nine snaps in pass blocking, allowing zero pressures in an actual true pass setting, finishing with an 81.5 pass blocking grade. Bartch didn't perform so well as a run blocker. On the six snaps, he finished with a 46.3 grade.

When healthy, Bartch plays phenomenally well at the guard position. His play could be the key cog to the continuity the team needs on the offensive line. The 49ers seem to have Bartch penciled in as the starter, but the opportunities are endless for some rising players, such as Nick Zakelj, seventh-round pick Connor Colby, and undrafted free agent Drew Moss. If Bartch continues to stack days in practice, he could help the 49ers go from a top 15 offensive line to a top ten or higher offensive line.

In conclusion, the 49ers could potentially start these five players in the trenches: Trent Williams, Ben Bartch, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni, and Colton McKivitz, all returning players from the same system. Now, the ultimate question is, who will back them up? But let's save that for another day. The key point of this story is continuity, and Ben Bartch gives the 49ers just that.