It is widely accepted that the San Francisco 49ers' roster will need to undergo some changes next offseason, when it is anticipated that quarterback Brock Purdy will sign a contract extension to make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL.
San Francisco is regarded by most as having the premier roster in the league. However, even with the league's salary cap continuing to increase year-on-year, Purdy's extension will make it more difficult for the 49ers to hang on to some of their better players, particularly those who are primed to hit free agency in 2025.
That list includes both starting cornerbacks, Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, as well as linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga.
But the 49ers are likely to want to keep at least one of Ward and Lenoir, while they value highly the tone-setting approach Greenlaw and Hufanga bring to the defense, though how both players perform after returning from their respective serious injuries will probably determine what San Francisco decides to do with that duo.
One player who could well be on his way out next offseason is 2021 second-round pick Aaron Banks.
Banks has established himself as a solid starting guard for the 49ers next to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and will have surely watched with interest this offseason as the guard market took off. Five guards signed contracts with an average annual salary of at least $10 million.
The problem for Banks is that the 49ers do not have a history of paying big money to I interior offensive linemen under John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. The Notre Dame product is a local to the Bay Area, having grown up in Alameda, but the likelihood appears to be he will need to go elsewhere to receive a lucrative contract next offseason.
A departure for Banks would leave a significant hole for the 49ers on an already shaky interior offensive line. San Francisco drafted a potential replacement in third-round pick Dominick Puni , whom the Niners believe can play all five spots on the line, and they would be in an even better position to deal with Banks' potential exit and crucially save some money if one of the standouts from this year's OTAs and minicamp can impress in camp and preseason.
San Francisco signed Ben Bartch, a former fourth-round pick of the Jaguars, off Jacksonville's practice squad midway through last season. He was limited to mop-up duty but is a favorite of offensive line coach Chris Foerster and earned plaudits during the workout program as he took the first-team center reps as Jake Brendel and Jon Feliciano sat out through injury.
Asked if Bartch had taken another step forward as he looks to prove himself following a serious 2022 knee injury that derailed his Jaguars career, Foerster said:
“A hundred percent. In fact, thanks for reminding me. I forgot he had the ACL. That’s why it was kind of that little bit of a delay. And he got back in there this year, and he has this spring, he’s taken a step. Now, we’re playing in shorts. But his initial – he’s hurt it, he got away from it, he’s come back and he’s looked very, very good at center and guard. And we’ll see when we get the pads on, if he’s able to play with a little more anchor, a little more strength and the things. But right now, he looks like he’s been here for three or four years and has fit in very well. We’re happy with Ben.”
Further progress from Bartch is unlikely to see him earn a starting spot this year. However, should he shine in camp and preseason, it could convince the 49ers to get out ahead of their looming problem at guard.
Bartch is also a free agent next offseason but, if the 49ers like what they see from him as they prepare for the 2024 season, it could convince them to sign him to a long-term deal this year with a view to him becoming a starter at guard in 2025.
Having been benched and then released by the Jaguars last year, Bartch would obviously not command anywhere close to what it would cost the 49ers to extend Banks.
They could sign Bartch to a team-friendly deal and put a succession plan in place, leaving them free to focus on future negotiations with their two starters at corner, Greenlaw and Hufanga.
An extension for Bartch, who turns 26 this month is something that would fly under the radar of most. Yet it would be a prudent, forward-thinking move by the 49ers to lock down a player with versatility and previous experience of starting on the interior that would give them the financial flexibility to dedicate more resources to premium positions.
The 49ers won't be happy to lose Banks if he does indeed leave next year. He has developed into a clear success after redshirting his rookie season. His exit is just one of several problems the Niners could face in 2025 in relation to team-building. Yet if Bartch has a strong camp, the solution will be staring them in the face.
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