49ers Weigh Adding 34-Year-Old Guard Joel Bitonio

Veteran Pro Bowler could provide stability at left guard for San Francisco.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:51pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, multi-angled painting depicting the fragmented forms of football players in an offensive line, with sharp planes of dark navy, forest green, and burnt orange colors, conveying the conceptual idea of the strategic challenges in building a strong offensive line.A fragmented, geometric illustration captures the complex interplay of an NFL offensive line, hinting at the challenges the 49ers face in solidifying their left guard position.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco 49ers face uncertainty at the left guard position after losing Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch in free agency. While second-year lineman Connor Colby and recently signed veteran Robert Jones are candidates to fill the role, the team may look to add more experience and stability by pursuing 34-year-old guard Joel Bitonio, a seven-time Pro Bowler who is weighing whether to continue his NFL career.

Why it matters

The 49ers' offensive line is a critical component of their success, and solidifying the left guard spot could help shore up the unit. Bitonio's proven track record and durability could be an appealing option, but his decision to play in 2026 remains uncertain.

The details

Bitonio, who has made seven consecutive Pro Bowls and been named a first-team All-Pro twice, started all 17 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2025 and played every offensive snap. He earned a 75.7 pass-blocking grade and a 64.4 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. In comparison, 49ers candidates Colby and Jones have lower grades in those areas, indicating room for improvement.

  • In 2025, Bitonio started all 17 regular-season games and played all 1,080 offensive snaps.
  • At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Bitonio told reporters he was unsure if he would play in 2026.

The players

Joel Bitonio

A 34-year-old guard who has made seven consecutive Pro Bowls and been named a first-team All-Pro twice. He is weighing whether to continue his NFL career in 2026.

Connor Colby

A second-year lineman for the 49ers who earned a 64.6 run-blocking grade but only a 33.7 pass-blocking grade as a rookie.

Robert Jones

A veteran offensive lineman recently signed by the 49ers, who posted a 54.3 pass-blocking grade and 56.3 run-blocking grade in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“It's not certain that Joel Bitonio will even play again in 2026—at the conclusion of his 12th professional season, the 34-year-old Bitonio told reporters that he wasn't sure if he would step onto an NFL field again.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer

“From 2018 to 2024, Bitonio was one of the best guards in the game—he made it to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro twice. He was also durable—Bitonio hasn't missed more than two games in a season in a decade.”

— Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The 49ers will continue to evaluate their options at left guard, including Bitonio, as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. Bitonio's decision on whether to play next year will be a key factor in determining if he is a viable option for San Francisco.

The takeaway

The 49ers' offensive line is a critical component of their success, and adding a proven veteran like Joel Bitonio could provide stability and experience at left guard. However, Bitonio's uncertain future and the team's internal options make this a complex decision for San Francisco as they look to solidify their offensive line for the upcoming season.