The San Francisco 49ers on Monday announced what could be a key offseason signing.
Ben Bartch skipped unrestricted free agency, and opted instead to sign a one-year extension with the 49ers. He’s a player to keep an eye on as the team puts together its starting offensive line. There’s a real chance he lines up as the starting left guard next season.
Bartch was the backup LG last season and acquitted himself well in limited action before a high ankle sprain in Week 14 knocked him out for the regular season.
With starting left guard Aaron Banks slated to hit unrestricted free agency where he’ll likely earn a contract north of what the 49ers can afford at the position, a player like Bartch will have an opportunity to slide into a starting role.
He originally joined the 49ers in November of the 2023 season when they signed him off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Bartch played in five games that year, then saw action in three contests with a pair of starts in 2024.
The 49ers are likely to hand him the starting LG job, but he’s certainly one of the frontrunners on the roster before free agency and the draft. Spencer Burford could also be in the mix there if the team wants to fire up a competition for the open starting job.
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