SANTA CLARA – Help wanted: left guard.
Finding a new starter there is the 49ers’ task, and if that is all their offensive line must worry about [in training camp](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/09/49ers-open-11-training-camp-practices-to-public-including-titans-joint-session/), then bring on their NFC West nightmares.
It’s never that simple, is it? Health issues might arise and other competitions could emerge as linemen’s blood, sweat and tears flow.
For now, the only vacant spot on the starting offense is at left guard, wedged between [12-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/07/trent-williams-myles-garrett-49ers-rams-retirement/) and seemingly entrenched center Jake Brendel.
Connor Colby, one of three starters at left guard last season, will compete there against free-agent acquisitions Robert Jones and Brett Toth, the latter of whom is seen more as a center. Rookie Carver Willis joins the mix, and Nick Zakelj also has been in the system a few years under offensive line czar Chris Foerster.
“They’re going to all get their chances somewhere. We’re going to have to go with the best player,” Foerster said in May. “I don’t know if one person is going to clear-cut win the job.”
**SECOND-YEAR JUMP**
Colby showed signs in spring workouts of making the desired sophomore jump. By knowing the scheme and techniques more, he’ll be playing faster inside.
“You’re going to see a big jump in Connor Colby and he has to make a big jump,” Foerster added. “Because when he stopped playing, it was not real good for him.”
Colby was merely a seventh-round pick drafted No. 249 overall. He was thrust into action in Week 2 when Ben Bartch got hurt, and despite promising play early, Colby was removed after six starts in favor of Spencer Burford.
The free agency exits of Bartch (Lions) and Burford (Raiders) open the door again at left guard, where a year ago the 49ers had to replace Aaron Banks (Packers).
**WILLIAMS’ CAMP REGIMEN**
Williams’ third contract haggle in six years is already complete, by virtue of a two-year, $50 million deal in April. Now it’s a matter of how much camp a 38-year-old requires to prepare for Myles Garrett and the Rams on Sept. 10.
Williams’ 2024 camp holdout hindered his start to the season, so he’ll surely get in some work when the first-string offense is out there. But the most important sessions will be the joint practices against the Tennessee Titans (Aug. 11) and the Los Angeles Chargers (Aug. 18).
“We’ve got to be sure we get him enough work in camp that we get him to a good position,” Foerster said.
**UNCHALLENGED STARTERS?**
The 49ers’ other starting linemen seemingly are running unopposed: Brendel, right guard Dominic Puni and right tackle Colton McKivitz.
This would be Brendel’s sixth season as the 49ers’ starter, coinciding with Brock Purdy’s tenure. The battle to back up Brendel falls on Toth, Drake Nugent and Zakelj.
Puni is entrenched at right guard for his third season, and Foerster has frowned on the idea of shifting him to the vacant left-guard spot. That would ruin a good thing, apparently, and Foerster credited Puni for not only playing through a knee injury last fall but overcoming early-career growing pains.
McKivitz’s stock has shot up entering his fourth year as a full-time starting right tackle; he signed a $45 million extension last September.
**NEW DEPTH PIECES**
Aside from Jones and Toth, free agency also brought in Vederian Lowe, who started 25 games the past three years at New England.
With Lowe’s arrival as well as Williams’ return, the 49ers weren’t compelled to spend a high draft pick on a lineman, instead waiting until the fourth round for Willis and the fifth round for Enrique Cruz Jr. Both players were college tackles but only Cruz is cast in that role as a rookie.