Niners Nation
There is more competition on the 49ers’ roster than in years past as training camp approaches
With the calendar turning to July comes the start of the serious business as the 49ers prepare for the 2025 season.
San Francisco’s rookies will report for training camp on July 15, with the whole team following on July 22.
This year, there is more competition for places on the 49er roster, and there are several position battles that will take place during camp and preseason that will have a huge impact on San Francisco’s 2025 fortunes.
The Niners, of course, want the best possible option at every spot on the depth chart, but there are five position battles that stand out as the most important going into training camp.
There is only position on the offensive line where the starter is set to change, with Aaron Banks’ departure in free agency leaving the left guard spot vacant.
Injuries and inconsistent play over the last two seasons meant Banks was never likely to be signed to a second contract. However, after finding an upgrade at right guard last year in the form of third-round pick Dominick Puni, it’s vital whoever steps in for Banks also raises the level of performance on the other side.
The favorite for the job is Ben Bartch, who is well liked by offensive line coach Chris Foerster and impressed in very limited snaps last season before injury ended his campaign.
Also in the mix is Spencer Burford, a former starter at right guard, while Nick Zakelj and rookies Connor Colby and Drew Moss will want to make an impression.
But Bartch and Burford have the most starting experience of those in the running, giving them the edge as the 49ers seek dependability up front. After a 2024 season in which injuries left the offensive line in tatters, the 49ers need a left guard who they can trust to keep Brock Purdy clean and hold up over the course of a 17-game campaign.
The 49ers’ special teams endured a nightmare season in 2024, finishing the year 31st in DVOA.
San Francisco has made several key decisions this offseason in a bid to address that failing, chief among them releasing punter Mitch Wishnowsky and adding veteran Thomas Morstead.
In addition, the 49ers also spent their final pick in the draft on a return specialist in Junior Bergen and signed kicker Greg Joseph to compete with Jake Moody after the 2023 third-round pick’s dreadful 2024.
The 49ers need to be able to have confidence in their ability to come away with points when in plus territory. Moody didn’t give them that last season, and now faces a competition with Joseph that may have an outsized influence on San Francisco’s 2025 fortunes.
Meanwhile Bergen’s fight to make the roster figures to be a fascinating one to watch. He scored eight punt return touchdowns in college at Montana. The 49ers haven’t scored on a punt return...
