The San Francisco 49ers are officially in the quiet part of the offseason after head coach Kyle Shanahan canceled this week’s minicamp, but one of the loudest conversations may be about their offensive line. Trent Williams’ age and a competition at left guard are two high-profile storylines entering the 2026 campaign, and the Los Angeles Rams made things even louder when they traded for Myles Garrett on June 1.
With the Niners opening the season against the Rams on Sept. 10 in Melbourne, Australia, having Garrett join the division was not ideal.
But it also opened the gateway for more, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald “is more likely than not” to come out of retirement ahead of next season:
“When you talk to all the people involved, nobody is coming out right now and saying Aaron Donald is coming back. But everybody is acknowledging that it is a possibility,” Schefter said on the latest episode of his podcast. “And the fact that it is even a possibility in June tells me that I think there’s every possibility it will become more real in July, and I think if and when they present a plan to him as to how he would be used, I think it’s more likely than not he’’ll be back.
“Now, nobody has said that…But the fact this is even coming up, and the fact that the Rams have the team that they do, and the fact that Aaron Donald will get to play with Myles Garrett, and the fact that the Super Bowl is in L.A. this year. I just think the ingredients are there to make it happen.”
49ers’ offensive line questions bigger than ever amid Aaron Donald’s return rumors
Schefter suggested there are some other obstacles involved, including finding a way to compensate Donald fairly within their current $18.9 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap. But he also believed Los Angeles would find a way to find the money, which could produce a nightmare scenario for the Niners.
San Francisco currently has a big question at left guard after Ben Bartch signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency. While his departure is seen as an upgrade, 2025 seventh-round pick Connor Colby and incoming rookie Carver Willis projected to battle for the starting spot, but neither should make Niners fans feel comfortable going into next season.
Colby was a liability when called upon last season, posting a 52.4 overall grade and allowing 20 pressures and three sacks on 281 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Willis was also considered one of the 49ers’ several reaches in last year’s draft when he was taken with the 127th pick but ranked 232nd on Wide Left’s consensus big board.
While the 49ers ranked fifth in PFF’s final offensive line rankings last season, having Garrett go up against Williams, who will turn age 38 next month, isn’t ideal. It’s even less so with the prospect of Donald in the middle of the Rams’ defensive line.
Donald announced his retirement following the 2023 season but is considered one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history with 111.0 sacks over 10 seasons. He also made the Pro Bowl in all 10 years, was an eight-time All-Pro and won the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year Award three times as an anchor in the middle of L.A.’s defense.
Also, the future Hall of Famer is still in tremendous shape and could theoretically jump onto the field to create a pass rush that some believed was only possible in Madden.
The fact the 49ers have questions along the offensive line isn't ideal, and Williams could become shaky in a hurry if he falls off the age cliff. With tight end George Kittle unlikely to be ready for the start of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, it’s another layer of protection eroding in front of Brock Purdy, which could throw the Niners' dreams of a division title and deep playoff run in jeopardy if Schefter’s hunch comes true.
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