One 49ers Position Battle Just Took an Interesting Turn

This player might be losing their grip on the starting role.

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Connor Colby (75) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The starting left guard position isn’t set in stone for the San Francisco 49ers.

In fact, it’s the only position undecided. Connor Colby looks to be the favorite to win the starting job. He’s been receiving all of the first-team reps when the 49ers begin their scrimmage phase.

However, on Wednesday, Colby wasn’t the one at left guard when the 49ers scrimmaged. It was Robert Jones. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster said he wanted to see how Jones looked there, while giving Colby a new look. 

Rookie Carver Willis was also part of the plan to get reps with the starters at left guard, but he’s currently in the concussion protocol. Jones ended up with the starting reps, which should raise some eyebrows.

Left guard battle takes a turn 

Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Connor Colby (75) before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Colby needs the reps at left guard. I doubt he’s checking all of the boxes and is blowing all of the coaches out of the water with his performances so far. The fact that Jones is stealing his starting reps means the coaches aren’t convinced.

It could also be that Foerster wants to see how Colby looks on the other side. Should Dominick Puni miss time, Colby can be an option at right guard while Jones fills in at left guard. 

However, it could be something more at hand. After a week of training camp, it’s possible Colby hasn’t done enough to create distance between himself and Jones.

Otherwise, why would Foerster want to see Jones and Willis at left guard with the first-string? 

It’s because he’s trying to see how the offensive line and the offense as a whole flow with them instead of Colby. He appears to be searching for answers, and rightfully so.

It’s not like Colby deserves to be penciled in as the starter. 

He was awful last season, and it’s probably still the case. Maybe this was just a one-time experiment at practice, but that means this will be intriguing to monitor closely as training camp continues. 

It should also be a call to action for Colby. They’re trying to find a role for him while seeing if there are better players behind him. If he can’t get it together and step up, he’ll be relegated. 

Maybe that’s for the best. If he’s this bad, he probably shouldn’t ever see the field. It’s a rough situation to be in for the 49ers as they figure out how to patch this hole on the offensive line.

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