Kyle Shanahan: “49ers Offensive Line is Fine” – Why the Criticism is Unwarranted

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has made it clear that he disagrees with those who believe the team has issues on the offensive line, particularly at the center position. Despite the ongoing criticism from fans and analysts, Shanahan is confident in the ability of his offensive line to perform at a high level, even with some personnel changes. Let’s take a closer look at Shanahan’s perspective on the 49ers’ offensive line and why the criticism may be overblown.

The Narrative of a Faulty Offensive Line

Ever since the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the most frequently discussed topics has been the team’s offensive line. In that game, the Eagles’ dominating performance in the trenches was seen as a significant factor in their victory. Many fans and analysts pointed to the 49ers’ offensive line as a potential area for improvement, particularly with quarterback Brock Purdy under pressure throughout the season.

However, Shanahan is not buying into the narrative that the 49ers’ offensive line is the weak link of the team. According to him, the 49ers’ offensive line has been playing well, and any perceived issues are not as widespread as some may think. “I thought Jake played well,” Shanahan said, referring to center Jake Brendel, who has faced some of the harshest criticism from fans.

Jake Brendel: An Underappreciated Asset

One of the most contentious positions on the 49ers’ offensive line has been the center spot, where Jake Brendel has taken the majority of snaps. Shanahan, however, is quick to defend Brendel, praising his play and emphasizing his ability to protect the quarterback in the passing game. “When you study centers throughout the league and you watch all these guys, I think Jake’s up there when it comes to his pass protection,” Shanahan explained. “I think Jake does his protections as good as anyone in this league. I think he’s always been a pretty good run player for us too.”

Brendel’s performance in 2023 was solid, particularly in pass protection. Despite the negative attention directed toward him, Shanahan sees Brendel as one of the more competent centers in the NFL. His ability to manage protections and keep quarterbacks safe in the pocket is crucial, especially for a team with a young quarterback like Purdy, who will rely on that protection to thrive.

The Only Question Mark: Left Guard

While Shanahan is largely confident in his starting offensive line, there is one position that remains uncertain: left guard. With Aaron Banks now gone, the 49ers will need to find a suitable replacement to fill the void. Shanahan acknowledged the importance of finding a new player for this role but otherwise feels secure in the other positions along the line.

“Other than that, they are fine at left tackle, right guard, right tackle, and center,” Shanahan stated. While this might not satisfy fans who believe the 49ers should make more moves, the reality is that most teams are in a similar position—constantly evaluating and adjusting their lineups to improve performance.

The Criticism of the Offensive Line: A Misunderstanding?

A big part of the criticism surrounding the 49ers’ offensive line stems from Purdy’s struggles in the pocket last season. While it’s easy to point fingers at the offensive line when a quarterback is under pressure, Shanahan argues that much of the blame lies with Purdy himself. “Purdy was holding the ball for way too long last season,” Shanahan explained. “He had the sixth-highest time to throw (2.93 seconds) of all passers, but the ninth-highest pressure rate. How does he have all day to throw, yet he’s facing a lot of pressure? He’s holding the ball too long.”

Shanahan’s comments highlight a key point: Purdy’s hesitance to release the ball quickly led to unnecessary pressure on the offensive line. Instead of finding open receivers quickly, Purdy often extended plays, resulting in pressure that could have been avoided with quicker decision-making. This, according to Shanahan, was a major factor in the increased pressure on the line and why the criticism directed toward the offensive line may not be entirely justified.

Moving Forward: The Plan for the Offensive Line

Looking ahead, Shanahan’s focus for the 49ers’ offensive line will be on finding the long-term successor to veteran left tackle Trent Williams, who is entering the twilight of his career. Additionally, the team may look to solidify the right tackle position, with Colton McKivitz possibly playing a more prominent role. However, outside of these potential future moves, Shanahan is confident in the line’s current state.

“Offensive line is not as pressing a need for the 49ers as it may seem,” Shanahan remarked. “Banks was the worst player on the line, not Brendel, and he’s in Green Bay now.” With Banks’ departure and Brendel’s solid play, the 49ers can feel good about their starting five, especially with a coaching staff that has a history of developing offensive line talent.

Defensive Focus for the 49ers

While the offensive line might not need as much attention as some believe, Shanahan and the 49ers will likely shift their focus toward the defensive side of the ball as they prepare for the 2025 season. After a dominant defensive performance in 2023, the team will look to continue building on that strength, ensuring that they are well-rounded and prepared for another championship run.

Conclusion: The Offensive Line is Fine, But the Focus Must Shift

Kyle Shanahan’s confidence in the 49ers’ offensive line is rooted in the belief that their core group is strong and capable. While the departure of Aaron Banks may create some uncertainty at left guard, the rest of the line is solid, and many of the concerns voiced by fans may stem from a misunderstanding of the situation.

Purdy’s own growth as a quarterback, along with his improved decision-making in 2025, should further ease concerns about the offensive line’s effectiveness. With Shanahan’s trust in his offensive line, the focus can now shift to ensuring that the 49ers continue to grow as a team, building on their strengths in both the trenches and the secondary.

In the end, while every team looks to improve their offensive line, the 49ers are in a strong position to make another deep playoff run with a solid foundation up front.