49ers free agency: Predicting which free agents Niners re-sign
By Peter Panacy
49ers 2022 NFL free agency predictions: Center Jake Brendel
Raise your hand if you forgot backup center Jake Brendel was on San Francisco’s roster.
It made sense to keep Brendel on the 53-man roster entering 2021. After all, there weren’t any true backup centers to support the Pro Bowler, Alex Mack, and last year’s fill-in center, Daniel Brunskill, was tasked with starting at right guard.
Mack fortunately stayed healthy over the course of the season, meaning Brendel was relegated almost entirely to special teams duties.
It’s possible the 49ers want to keep a primary backup center on the roster in 2022, which would be good news for Brendel. Yet it’s also possible Aaron Banks takes over for Brunskill this season, meaning the Niners would have a serviceable backup to Mack.
That wouldn’t bode well for Brendel, who’d be on the fringes of the roster anyway if he’s re-signed, which we don’t predict happening.
Prediction: Not re-signed