49ers re-sign guard Ben Bartch, proactive move to retain potential 2025 starter
The San Francisco 49ers took the first of presumably several steps to address their offensive line this offseason by retaining guard Ben Bartch with a one-year contract extension on Monday.
The move, first reported by the Chronicle, was made with Bartch scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. The 49ers were proactive with Bartch, 26, who has made 22 career starts and is likely a candidate to serve as a starter in 2025 if left guard Aaron Banks signs elsewhere when free agency begins March 12.
Bartch has played just 93 offensive snaps with the 49ers over the previous two seasons. But the 2020 fourth-round pick of the Jaguars made 17 starts in his first two-plus seasons before his career was derailed in 2022 by a severe knee injury that included a dislocation and ligament damage.
Bartch was impressive in limited action last season, allowing zero sacks and one quarterback pressure while playing 58 snaps in two starts when Banks was sidelined by a concussion. In Bartch’s first start, a loss at snow-covered Buffalo on Dec. 1, he helped pave the way for a rushing attack that had 153 yards and averaged 5.7 yards a carry.
Offensive line coach Chris Foerster praised Bartch’s performance, but he noted the wintry conditions favored offensive linemen and he said he was eager to see how Bartch fared in his next start. However, Bartch played just 10 snaps in a win against the Bears the following week before he suffered a high ankle sprain that ended his season.
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Bartch has a unique back story. He played at Division III Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., where he began his career as a 220-pound tight end. However, he changed positions after his freshman season and became the first Saint John’s player selected in the NFL draft since 1974 and the first Division III player picked since 2015.
Bartch could compete with Spencer Burford, Nick Zakelj and a rookie draft pick for a starting role. The 49ers could use a high-end draft pick on an offensive tackle who could compete with right tackle Colton McKivitz next season and serve as an eventual successor to All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who will turn 37 in July.