It’s clear to see that the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line is a position group that has improved greatly.
It would be fair to say it’s the most improved position group on the entire roster. Aside from Connor Colby winning the left guard position in training camp, the rest of the unit remains the same.
So, what happened for the 49ers to go from having one of the NFL’s most mediocre offensive lines to one of its best? Trent Williams explains how the unit’s self-belief has played a role in improving their game.
“I think everybody in the locker room goes through those times where you’ve got to be a little bit, I guess, for lack of a better word, crazy, in a sense to where you’ve got to believe that you’re the best,” shared Williams with the media after the 49ers’ Week 4 victory against the Broncos.
“You’ve got to believe you have the best o-line. You’ve got to believe you have the best defensive line whether that’s true or not. It’s the belief and the confidence that allows you to play like you can be that.
Jul 27, 2023; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster talks to a group of offensive lineman during training camp at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
“I’ve always thought we had the talent to be one of the best o-lines in the league. I always say I thought Colton [McKivitz] and myself were probably the best pair of Tackles in the league. With the way Dom [Puni] has been playing, obviously Jake [Brendel] has always been real solid for us, the heart and soul of our o-line.
“Connor [Colby] taking that big step, that’s probably when you reference the question. I understand it’s left guard, but we always had faith in him. He has the attributes to be really successful. We’ve seen that his rookie year and now he’s putting on film.”
The most striking stat from the Week 4 victory is that the unit has yet to allow Brock Purdy to be sacked this season. The last time this happened was in 2005, when Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts finished the season with a 14-2 record.
The 49ers looked vastly better as the Broncos presented a step up purely because of their strong defense. Another big step follows in Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks – the very team that defeated San Francisco twice last season.
Self-belief definitely helps, but coaching surely has played a key role too. The coaching staff deserve credit for this massive improvement. Long may it continue.
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