It looks like the 49ers will have a new left tackle for the first time since 2006. ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Saturday reported Joe Staley is expected to retire due to health concerns.
The announcement comes on the heels of reports that the 49ers will trade two draft picks for Washington left tackle Trent Williams.
49ers general manager John Lynch on Monday before the draft expressed confidence that Staley would return for a 14th season. That seemed to be confirmed on Day 1 of the draft when the club passed on top tackle prospect Tristan Wirfs. The trade for Williams confirmed the opposite, and was a major indicator that San Francisco knew they wouldn’t have their left tackle returning next year.
2019 was perhaps the most difficult season of Staley’s career from an injury perspective. He played a career-low seven games after breaking his fibula in Week 2, and then dislocating a finger that required surgery when he returned in Week 10. He’s set to turn 36 before the start of the 2020 season
Staley was a first-round pick of the 49ers in 2007 out of Central Michigan and started all 181 regular season games he played. He helped anchor two offensive lines that went to the Super Bowl, and earned six Pro Bowl nods during his career. If this is it for Staley, he’ll go down as one of the greatest 49ers of all-time.