Arguably the biggest open-ended question about the San Francisco 49ers' starting lineup in 2026 will be who takes over the left guard spot.
It's a good question.
The Niners have plenty of options: second-year lineman Connor Colby, rookie Carver Willis and a seasoned veteran, Robert Jones, who was picked up in free agency after spending an injury-deleted 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys.
One might think it'll just be a matter of seeing who wins out among that bunch, and others. But San Francisco ultimately could use Jones in a role not unlike something it did only a few years ago.
2023 was arguably the best example; a season in which the 49ers platooned a young lineman, Spencer Burford, with an aged veteran, Jon Feliciano. And while Feliciano's tenure might be remembered for controversy, particularly calling out Burford publicly for a missed block in the Super Bowl.
Feliciano had his controversial moments, yes. But the Niners familiarized themselves with the idea of a platoon.
And it could be what they have in mind for Jones, too.
Platooning Robert Jones might be the 49ers' go-to plan at left guard
Jones joined on a one-year deal worth up to $1.75 million, $1.64 million of which is guaranteed, so there's an awfully good chance he'll make the 53-man roster, come Week 1. Plus, prior to his lone year in Dallas, in which he missed the entire year because of a broken bone in his neck, Jones spent the previous four years with the Miami Dolphins, learning a San Francisco-like blocking scheme under then-head coach Mike McDaniel.
So, system-wise, transitioning to the 49ers shouldn't be too difficult.
Yet the Niners are enticed by Willis, the late-blooming day-three draftee who appears to be the favorite to take over long-term duties at left guard. But tossing Willis into the proverbial fire might be a tall order, meaning a return to a platoon-like system could be the better route.
Who better than Jones for that, right?
Doing so would help alleviate concerns about Jones being rusty and/or injury worries about his neck, while it'd take pressure off Willis from being overwhelmed at the outset.
San Francisco employed the strategy with the controversial Feliciano and underwhelming Burford before, and the Jones-Willis tandem might be the next installment.
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