The San Francisco 49ers entered the offseason with their top two left guards, Spencer Burford and Ben Bartch, hitting free agency, and after the former signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, that just left the latter on the market.
However, on Wednesday, Bartch found a new home, as the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch reported that the offensive lineman is signing with the the Detroit Lions for 2026.
Bartch, 27, entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (Ni. 116 overall) of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2020 NFL draft following an All-MIAC collegiate career at Saint John’s (MN).
San Francisco signed Bartch in November 2023 after he spent most of his first four years in the league in Jacksonville. Over the last three years with the 49ers, he’s appeared in 14 games and started four. He was team’s starting left guard to start the 2025 season before an injury knocked him out.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers starting offensive lineman signing with NFC North team
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
