The San Francisco 49ers boast two elder statesmen on their offensive line: future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams and center Jake Brendel. And while the bulk of offseason conversations focused on finding Williams' heir apparent—he is turning age 38 this summer—finding a succession plan for Brendel has largely gone overlooked.
That's not exactly a good thing.
Brendel is the epitome of a late bloomer; he entered the league with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent back in 2016, and the lineman subsequently spent the bulk of his career as a perennial practice squad player until the Niners signed him in 2021 before giving him full-time starting duties a year later.
And while a good chunk of the fanbase has been relatively critical of the 33-year-old pro, Pro Football Focus' data suggests Brendel is far better than average, ranking 12th among 40 qualifying centers last season with a respectable 70.4 overall grade.
OK, so what's the issue? Brendel has been effective over the years, and with only two games missed since becoming a full-time starter in 2022, he's been reliable, too.
Well, there's that whole age thing. And he's entering a contract year as well.
49ers must start thinking about Jake Brendel succession plan
Head coach Kyle Shanahan typically prioritizes tackle and center play above guards, and the coach also hasn't been shy about spending big bucks on veteran centers (Weston Richburg and Alex Mack are prime examples).
Brendel has vastly outperformed his current four-year, $16.5 million contract, one that ultimately expires once 2026 comes to a close.
It's fully possible San Francisco is punting on addressing the long-term question here, whether it's Brendel's age or the fact he's set to hit the open market a year from now. Perhaps there've been preliminary discussions about an extension, but that doesn't address his would-be replacement whatsoever.
And, should Brendel suffer the unlikely injury this year, the 49ers don't exactly have any established go-to options. As of now, Brett Toth figures to be the favorite after the Niners inked him in free agency earlier in spring, but that doesn't exactly solidify any long-term expectations either.
If Brendel managers to stay consistent enough this season, perhaps San Francisco is afforded the luxury of yet another team-friendly deal for 2027 and possibly beyond.
But age is swiftly becoming a factor, and the 49ers would be wise to think beyond just what faces them this upcoming year.
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