The 49ers have signed center Jake Brendel to a four-year deal worth up to $20 million, a league source confirmed to The Athletic. The contract includes an $8 million guarantee. Brendel was ranked #111 on The Athletic’s list of the top 150 free agents.
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How it fits: Kyle Shanahan’s offense requires competent play from the middle position as he is responsible for communication in attack. Shanahan also asks his centers to create difficult blocks in space to support the team’s zone running program. Brendel proved the necessary tasks as a starting center in 2022, now the 49ers should enjoy continuity in this important position in the middle of the offensive line.
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Effects 2023: Consider the significant investment the 49ers have made in the center position since Shanahan’s arrival. They handed Weston Richburg a $47.5 million deal in 2018 and signed longtime, stalwart Alex Mack in 2021. However, both players retired before playing out their contracts – and the 49ers had particularly acute problems at center in 2020 when Richburg was unavailable through injury. They were able to avoid similar troubles in 2022 after Brendel successfully took over the position following Mack’s departure.
That’s all to say that Brendel’s impact should be in providing stability, which Shanahan’s offense has had to offer whenever she hasn’t set up a play down the middle.
Story: Brendel, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016, finally got a chance to start for the 49ers in 2022. His connection to the franchise came from 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster, who coached Brendel early in his career in Miami.
Over the years, Brendel has gone from being an exceptionally athletic yet lightweight prospect to a center solidly able to anchor against bull rushes. Brendel proved that once and for all last season by ranking the No. 3 center in Pro Football Focus pass blocking efficiency.
“It’s been an uphill battle, from not being called up to getting injured early in my career,” Brendel said after the 49ers’ 2022 season ended. “These things are a thing of the past. I really feel like my career is just beginning.”
Cap update: Brendel’s deal is valued at $5 million a year, which is roughly in line with the deal Mack signed with the team in 2021. The contract structure isn’t out yet, but the 49ers likely loaded something up with this deal.
After cornerback Charvarius Ward’s contract was restructured to free up about $10 million in 2023 salary cap Tuesday morning, the 49ers had about $3 million in room. Brendel’s contract should push them right to the limit, so the 49ers may need to do more financial gymnastics to stay within the caps by the start of the new league year Wednesday.
Outlook: The 49ers made a massive splash on the defensive side of the ball to open Monday’s manipulation period. Brendel’s signing marks a necessary investment on offense. But more work is needed beforehand. The 49ers should be interested in acquiring talent capable of competing with Colton McKivitz in right tackle. The O-line also needs more depth, so a new signing of Daniel Brunskill seems likely.
But creating continuity down the middle was the most pressing problem up front, and the 49ers addressed that by retaining Brendel.
(Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)