49ers roster: 4 players who can replace retired Alex Mack right now
By Peter Panacy
49ers option to replace Alex Mack No. 3: Jake Brendel
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has long preferred veterans at center over rookies, meaning someone like journeyman backup Jake Brendel would have a much better chance at replacing Alex Mack over a rookie like Dohnovan West.
Brendel, who originally signed with the 49ers back in 2020 but opted out of that season because of the pandemic, joined the NFL as an undrafted free-agent signing of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 before seeing on-field time with the Miami Dolphins from that year through 2018, albeit in an awfully limited fashion.
He also found spots on both the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos’ preseason rosters.
Brendel has just three regular-season starts under his belt, yet he served as Mack’s primary backup on the Niners’ 53-man roster a year ago.
That carries some weight, and Brendel has also been working with San Francisco’s first-team unit during organized team activities, too, suggesting he’ll get the first crack at being the No. 1 option.