One of the consistent rumors before the free agency period has been that DeMeco Ryans and Houston Texans are interested in poaching a number of 49ers free agents. Apparently that’s also the case at the center position.
Local Houston sports journalist Aaron Wilson said that the Texans are interested in 49ers starting center Jake Brendel, as well as a pair of AFC teams.
San Francisco is already expected to lose right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who reportedly may go to the Chicago Bears. Swing tackle Daniel Brunskill is also a free agent.
Brendel was okay in his first year as the 49ers’ starting center, ranking 20th of 36 qualifying centers in effectiveness according to Pro Football Focus. Brendel was a very solid pass blocker but struggled in the run game. Brendel replaced Alex Mack after he retired following the 2021 season, but played well enough that the 49ers didn’t have to do much else to address a position that was a major question mark.
It would stand to reason that center is a position the 49ers will have to do something about in either free agency or the draft, whether that means re-signing Brendel or going in a different direction. Brendel is the 49ers’ only true center on their roster.
Brendel cost only a little over a million last year. It will be interesting to see how much he costs in 2023 if a bidding war ensues.