5 biggest weaknesses 49ers have to address heading into 2024 training camp
The San Francisco 49ers have come extremely close to winning a ring in the past five seasons, with two conference championships and two other NFC Championship Game appearances. However, they twice fell to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the big game, and are still searching for that one win.
As the team gears up for another season as contenders, the number of areas on the roster that create concern is small – but there's one specific group that will likely keep 49ers fans up at night more than they'd wish.
Check out five of the concerns regarding the team ahead of the 2024 season.
5 weaknesses the San Francisco 49ers need to address ahead of 2024 season
#1. Right tackle
When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl in the 2019 season, they had Mike McGlinchey, who wasn't good but there were worse options. He left to chase the bag during free agency, and four years later, they somehow went to the Super Bowl with a worse option. Colton McKivitz is a liability often exposed by opposing defenses.
#2. Center
Jake Brendel established himself in the position but it was more a default thing than him earning the job. Brendel is nothing more than a solid center who's there because he's cheap, which means the salary cap is helped. But in terms of level, there are a lot of better options.
#3. Right guard
Jon Feliciano in 2024 has to be some sort of gatekeeping. He's far from being a certainty at this point of his career, and Dominick Puni arguably wasn't a great draft pick either. This is another OL spot that lacks quality.
#4. Left guard
Yes, another offensive lineman – if you've watched the Super Bowl, then you know it's a fair assessment. Aaron Banks took over as sort of a default pick due to his status as a second-round pick in 2021, but that's yet another area of concern for the team.
#5. Safety
Sorry if you expected left tackle here – Trent Williams is probably the best tackle in the NFL even at an advanced age. Talanoa Hufanga is returning from a serious injury and Ji'Ayir Brown is a bit of a liability as well. Improvements aren't as urgent as in the offensive line, but they would still be welcome.