2 biggest 49ers training camp battles to watch ahead of 2026 NFL season

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The San Francisco 49ers have no shortage of star power, but a pair of training camp competitions could determine whether the roster has the depth and stability to make another deep postseason push. The left guard spot and the safety position both feature uncertainty, young talent and veterans fighting to preserve their roles.

Neither battle is likely to receive the same attention as the quarterback or wide receiver situations around the league. Still, the winners will carry major responsibilities in a system that demands precision up front and discipline on the back end.

Connor Colby vs. Robert Jones at Left Guard

The 49ers are entering camp without Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch, leaving a clear opening at starting left guard. Second-year lineman Connor Colby appears to be the early favorite, but he will have to prove that he can handle the details of the job before San Francisco simply hands him the role.

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Colby has an opportunity because he is the younger player with developmental upside. The 49ers need a lineman who can hold his own in pass protection while also executing the movement-based blocks that make their rushing attack so difficult to defend. That requires more than strength or athleticism. It demands quick recognition, clean footwork and a consistent understanding of assignments.

For Colby, training camp is less about making highlight blocks and more about avoiding the kind of mistakes that coaches cannot tolerate from an interior starter. A missed stunt pickup, a late read against a blitz or a failure to reach the correct defender on an outside-zone run can kill an entire possession. He can survive the occasional loss against a quality defensive lineman, but he cannot look confused or unreliable.

That is where veteran Robert Jones becomes a serious threat. Kyle Shanahan has often shown a preference for experience when a position battle is close, particularly along the offensive line. Jones may not offer the same unknown upside as Colby, but he knows what it takes to survive an NFL season and could win the job simply by being the steadier player every day.

Rookie Carver Willis is also part of the mix, although he faces the longest road. Willis is transitioning from tackle to guard, and that is not always an immediate adjustment. The condensed space inside forces linemen to process blitzes and contact much faster, while guard play requires a different set of angles in both the run and passing games.

Willis has a chance to develop into a useful player, but expecting him to master the transition in one camp may be unrealistic. The real battle should come down to Colby versus Jones, with Colby needing to show enough consistency to prevent the coaching staff from defaulting to the proven veteran.

Ji’Ayir Brown vs. Marques Sigle at Safety

Malik Mustapha appears locked into one starting safety position, but the role next to him remains unsettled. Ji’Ayir Brown may enter training camp as the nominal favorite, yet Marques Sigle and veteran Ashtyn Davis should ensure the competition remains open.

The 49ers need to explore every answer at a position that has lacked certainty. Brown has experience in the system and understands the expectations of the defense, which gives him a meaningful edge. If he communicates effectively, avoids coverage busts and makes reliable decisions when the ball is in the air, he could secure the job before the preseason ends.

But Sigle may possess the more intriguing path to raising the unit’s ceiling. He has already shown he can contribute against the run, an important trait in a division filled with physical offenses. The question is whether he can become dependable in coverage, especially on throws over the middle and contested catches down the field.

That concern matters because Mustapha is most effective when he can operate near the line of scrimmage. If he spends substantial time in the box, the 49ers need his partner to be sound as a deep defender. Sigle does not have to become an elite ball hawk; he simply must limit explosive plays, track the football more consistently and finish coverage reps.

Davis should not be ignored, either. His veteran presence gives the coaching staff another option if Brown or Sigle fails to separate. Still, the ideal outcome for San Francisco is Sigle emerging as the answer. A reliable coverage safety beside Mustapha would give the defense more flexibility and allow its best playmakers to operate in their preferred roles.

These competitions will not just fill openings. They will reveal whether the 49ers have found dependable solutions at two positions where execution cannot be optional.

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