The 49ers got their money's worth from Daniel Brunskill years ago, and they may be trying to do the same with Ben Bartch.
In the grand scheme of the San Francisco 49ers' offseason, re-signing backup offensive lineman Ben Bartch might not seem like that big of a deal.
Oh, the Niners did that, by the way. He's back, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch.
It's a one-year deal, keeping the 26 year old around into 2025 instead of letting him hit the free-agent market.
Batch, whom San Francisco originally acquired halfway through 2023 after he spent three-plus years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, isn't going to be talked about much this offseason. Yet there's a scenario that could play out for the 49ers offensive line where Bartch becomes vital.
And it's not unlike what the Niners did with another versatile lineman a few years ago, Daniel Brunskill.
49ers could ask Ben Bartch to be a low-profile, highly effective starter
Remember when San Francisco brought aboard Brunskill in 2019 after the AAFL went defunct? Few talked of Brunskill, the undrafted free agent who eventually played 14 games that season, starting seven of them. Through 2021 he was a versatile starter, and many would still argue Brunskill was the best option to match up against now-retired Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
The 49ers made Brunskill a cheap-but-versatile starter through 2022 before he finally left via free agency.
And it's not out of the realm of possibility to think Bartch is next, especially if left guard Aaron Banks signs elsewhere when his contract expires. Rather than splurge (or use high draft capital) on Banks' replacement, it wouldn't be shocking if San Francisco hopes Bartch can have a similar under-the-radar kind of impact Brunskill delivered for many years.
Owning his own versatility, Bartch displayed some solid looks during the three games he played for the Niners last season, two of them starts. During that abbreviated time, Bartch earned a respectable 74.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, suggesting he was far more than just an emergency backup.
Bartch suffered a season-ending leg injury during his third game played in 2024, which was disappointing after his promising efforts.
That said, it appears San Francisco might give the lineman a chance to cement himself as a possible starter in 2025, competing alongside others like Nick Zakelj and Spencer Burford.