The 49ers' Biggest Question Mark Entering the 2025 Season

The 49ers' roster construction is a bit perplexing.

They just gave Brock Purdy a contract extension that makes him the seventh-highest-paid player in the NFL -- you'd think they'd want to give him a terrific offensive line. And yet, they lost starting left guard Aaron Banks and swing tackle Jaylon Moore in free agency this offseason and didn't find upgrades for either player. Instead, the replacements are cheap. Which is strange, considering the 49ers have more than $46 million in salary cap space.

That's why Pro Football Network says the interior offensive line is the 49ers' biggest question mark entering the 2025 season.

"Aaron Banks departed for Green Bay this offseason, leaving a hole at guard for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025," writes PFN's Jacob Infante. "They seem to have trust in Ben Bartch taking over, seeing as though they didn’t draft an offensive lineman until Round 7 this year. However, Bartch and center Jake Brendel have yet to solidify themselves as quality NFL starting offensive linemen."

Infante is correct about Brendel, although at least he hasn't missed a game in three seasons since becoming the starting center.

Bartch is different. Bartch has had major injury issues in his career and never has stayed healthy for an entire season. That's why he has started just 22 games in five years. And if he gets injured, it's unclear who would step in as the starting left guard. It could be Spencer Burford, although he played left tackle during OTAs and minicamp, or it could be Nick Zakelj, who has two career starts.

Maybe the 49ers will spend some of their cap space on another interior lineman before the trade deadline.