5 biggest 49ers takeaways from second week of OTAs

1 of 5

Two weeks of 49ers OTAs are in the books with some mixed early returns on the roster and how they’re setting up for training camp.

The OTAs for the San Francisco 49ers are well and truly underway, with two weeks done and dusted and only the remaining OTAs from June 6 through 9 to go before players enjoy a brief rest until mandatory minicamp begins on June 14.

Full contact and playing in pads will come later, so there isn’t too much to report that’s going to be truly important (with one exception we’ll get to shortly), but we’re still getting a basic idea of the general state of things until the 2022 preseason truly begins in earnest.

With the first week of OTAs already covered, it only makes sense to do the same for week No. 2.

So let’s take a look at how the second week of OTAs played out, beginning with the only bit of news that’s going to play a truly big role for the Niners in the upcoming season.

49ers takeaway No. 1: Alex Mack retires, leaves huge hole to fill

And with one short announcement, a huge position of need and also the biggest hole on the roster has opened up.

There are no two ways about it, Pro Bowl center Alex Mack will be sorely missed. San Francisco had no real backup plan at the position, and now the team has to decide whether or not to roll with career journeyman Jake Brendel or move Daniel Brunskill to center and try to fill both guard positions for the season.

Both routes of action have their risks, and the only real alternative is for someone else to step up in the preseason.

Dohnovan West, anybody?

Center has become the biggest hole on the roster with this announcement, and the 49ers will need to make it their No. 1 priority next offseason unless someone steps up.

For now, at least, San Francisco will need to scramble to find a more immediate solution to this problem.