The San Francisco 49ers season ended with a 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Divisional Round.
The blowout exposed several issues, but one stood out: the offensive line struggled to protect Brock Purdy. San Francisco’s pass protection was inconsistent all season, and it showed in the biggest moments.
49ers legend Steve Young believes the offensive line needs to be a priority this offseason. Speaking on Bay Area radio station KNBR, Young said the 49ers need to get back to the level they had in 2019, when the offensive line was one of the best in the league.
“I thought they had some great games this year, but we need to get back to the 2019 offensive line, where they’re the best in the league—top three,” Young said.
Young added that relying on Trent Williams to carry the offensive line is not a sustainable strategy.
“It’s not fair to say, ‘Oh, he’s [Williams] going to be the rock of our offensive line,'” Young said. “And so, I think we’ve got the makings of a great offensive line. If quarterback is the position in the NFL that needs to be prioritized, then the offensive line needs to be the second.”
Kyle Shanahan’s History of Not Investing in the Offensive Line
GettyHead coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has a history of not prioritizing the offensive line.
Shanahan has said before that he does not believe the offensive line needs to be exceptional for a quarterback to thrive in his system. He trusts his scheme to create opportunities, and he has often invested resources in skill positions rather than building an elite offensive line.
That approach worked when the 49ers reached the Super Bowl twice during Shanahan’s tenure. But the cracks are starting to show. San Francisco ranked 18th in the NFL with a 67.0 team pass-blocking grade in 2025. That is mediocre at best, and it became a problem when the 49ers faced elite defenses in the playoffs.
Young’s comments suggest he believes Shanahan needs to change his philosophy. The 49ers have the makings of a great offensive line, but they need to invest in it. That means prioritizing the position in the draft, in free agency, and in contract extensions.
Trent Williams Is Running Out of Time
GettyTrent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers.
Williams will be 38 years old before the start of next season.
The veteran left tackle is one of the greatest offensive linemen of his generation. He has been a dominant force for over a decade, but age is catching up with him. Williams had his worst season in 2025, though it was still a strong year by most standards.
Williams has stated he plans to play in 2026. But how much longer can he continue at an elite level? And what happens when he retires? The 49ers do not have a clear successor in place, and that creates uncertainty along the offensive line.
Young acknowledged that asking Williams to be “the rock” of the offensive line is not fair at this stage of his career. The 49ers need to build around him, not rely on him to carry the unit.
Williams deserves a chance to win a Super Bowl before he retires. He has been one of the NFL’s best players for years, but he has never won a championship. If the 49ers want to give him that opportunity, they need to surround him with talent and depth along the offensive line.
Protecting Brock Purdy Needs to Be the 49ers’ Priority
GettyBrock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers signed Purdy to a five-year, $265 million contract last offseason.
That massive investment means the organization is fully committed to him as the franchise quarterback. And when you commit that much money to a quarterback, you need to protect him.
Purdy has already battled a UCL injury in his right elbow and turf toe. Those are two significant injuries early in his career. The 49ers cannot afford to let him take unnecessary hits because the offensive line is not good enough.
Purdy proved what a battler he is on the field this season. He played a key role in leading a depleted offense to a playoff victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions. He took the 49ers to the Divisional Round despite dealing with injuries across the roster.
But against the Seahawks, Purdy struggled to make an impact. The offensive line could not protect him, and he was under constant pressure. That game exposed the 49ers’ biggest weakness.
If the 49ers want to maximize Purdy’s potential, they need to give him more support. That starts with the offensive line.
Why Now Is the Time for the 49ers to Invest
The 49ers are at a crossroads.
They have reached the Super Bowl twice under Shanahan, but they have not won it. The championship window is still open, but it is narrowing. Williams is nearing the end of his career. Purdy is entering his prime. The time to invest is now.
Young’s comments reflect a growing belief that the 49ers need to adjust their approach. Shanahan has relied on scheme and skill position talent to carry the offense. But that strategy has not delivered a championship.
The 2019 offensive line was dominant. The 49ers ranked near the top of the league in pass protection and run blocking. That group helped carry the team to the Super Bowl. If San Francisco wants to get back to that level, they need to make the offensive line a priority.
That means spending money in free agency. It means using high draft picks on offensive linemen. It means extending key players before they hit free agency. The 49ers have the resources to build an elite offensive line. The question is whether Shanahan is willing to change his philosophy.
49ers’ Steve Young Delivers Blunt Message to Kyle Shanahan