San Francisco 49ers: 4 players who bounce back strong in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey
Perhaps no offensive lineman drew more criticism from San Francisco’s fanbase last year than right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
It was partially warranted. McGlinchey, while performing well in run support, was quite the liability in pass protection. According to Pro Football Focus, McGlinchey five sacks and 37 quarterback pressures en route to a lowly 58.3 pass-blocking grade, the worst of his three-year career.
Nevertheless, the 49ers still felt comfortable to pick up McGlinchey’s fully guaranteed fifth-year option for 2022, meaning he’ll be around for the next two years.
One of the prime reasons why McGlinchey struggled last year wasn’t necessarily on his shoulders. The intended blocker next to him, Daniel Brunskill, was asked to bump over to center in the wake of multiple injuries at that position, shaking up the Niners offensive line and creating something of a rotating door at right guard.
O-linemen rely heavily on chemistry with their fellow linemates, perhaps more than any other position and especially in a zone-style offense, which San Francisco operates.
The hope now, of course, is rookie guard Aaron Banks, with whom McGlinchey played one season at Notre Dame, can step in as a staple piece alongside the right tackle in 2021 and beyond.
This consistency should do McGlinchey a lot of good, hopefully helping him improve upon what was otherwise a disappointing 2020 campaign.