The 49ers aren’t letting Ben Bartch hit free agency. The team announced that they’ve re-signed the offensive lineman. It’s a one-year deal for Bartch.
A former fourth-round pick by the Jaguars, Bartch got into 41 games across three-plus seasons in Jacksonville. He landed with the 49ers midway through the 2023 campaign and has spent the past-year plus with the organization.
After getting into five games down the stretch with the 49ers in 2023 (plus another three playoff appearances), Bartch was limited to only three games (two starts) in 2024. He fared well in his brief look last year, allowing only one pressure in 65 offensive snaps. He likely would have been in line for more playing time during the final month of the season, but the lineman was sidelined thanks to a high ankle sprain.
With Aaron Banks also set to hit free agency, Bartch does provide the 49ers with some continuity at left guard. Depending on how the offseason plays out, the veteran could actually be penciled in atop the depth chart heading into the 2025 season.
This was an excellent move by Lynch, Kyle, and Forester.
Aaron Banks is not worth the amount of money he is going to command, and Ben Bartch, when he was called upon, played very well last season.
Bartch also adds some versatility, since he is able to line up at any of the interior OL spots.
Actually, even though it was a small sample size, Bartch was the only 49er OL, besides Trent Williams, to have PFF list as being above average for both pass blocking and run blocking.
Dominic Puni, the 49ers Right Guard they selected in the 3rd Round, had a tremendous rookie season, especially when it came to the grades he received for his run blocking. Puni was a top tier run blocker, but his pass blocking did not quite measure up. It looks like DP might have hit the rookie wall, because his performance seemed to uncharacteristically falter the last couple games of the season.
Actually, Puni did start out pretty well as a pass blocker, so with a year of film, a year of on the field experience, a year to acclimate to Kyle’s system and blocking schemes, a year to get in the weight room and get his body in better shape, and with a full OTAs and off-season, I think Puni should only get better moving forward.
Puni and Bartch could actually be a pretty solid guard tandem, but they’re going to need to address the Center position. Brendel just was not it, and he simply looked outmatched at times.
The 49ers really need to sign Center Drew Dalman and draft a tackle and anither Guard within their first four picks.
If the 49ers can get some new blood at RT early on in the draft, then they could let Bartch battle it out with McKivitz and whichever 3rd/4th Round OG the 49ers select for the LG spot, and the losers of that battle would provide the 49ers with some solid depth in case there is an injury.