Tempers usually flare high between the offense and defense during training camp.
Training camp is next on the docket for the San Francisco 49ers, who concluded their two-day mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. So, as the depth chart begins to figure itself out, it’s time to look ahead to some of the biggest potential training camp battles next month.
It’s a much different outlook for the 49ers this season, as a lot of younger players will be pushing for bigger roles at a number of positions on both sides of the ball.
Notable battles could include the open left guard spot, where the 49ers will look internally to replace Aaron Banks, who departed in free agency. Ben Bartch seems to be the leader in the clubhouse currently, but Spencer Burford and others could challenge for the open spot.
Additionally, the 49ers may have some openings at wide receiver with Brandon Aiyuk still recovering and DeMarcus Robinson potentially getting a suspension to start the season. Can youngsters Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins emerge as true threats come Week 1?
On the defensive side of the ball, several players have been banged up, so training camp will be the first true glimpse for second-round pick Alfred Collins and others. The defensive line rotation will have to be figured out, as there’s openings on the interior currently.
The No. 2 linebacker spot is also a question mark, with third-round rookie Nick Martin and third-year pro Dee Winters seeming like the most viable candidates. The No. 3 corner spot could even be a question mark, with veteran Tre Brown competing alongside rookie Upton Stout to start.
In the safety room, there are quite a few injuries currently. Ji’Ayir Brown and George Odum are nursing issues, but should be good for training camp. And Malik Mustapha seems poised to miss the start of the season. So, there could be some competition there to figure out the starting spots.
But, for me, the biggest training camp battle might just be Brock Purdy versus Robert Saleh and his defense. Purdy, who got his five-year, $265 million extension this offseason, has been fully present for the offseason program and will be looking to develop camaraderie with his wideouts.
On the other side, Saleh will be tasked with leading a young group and always brings his infectious energy to the fold. Fireworks usually come about between the offense and defense, so I’m curious to see how both sides look against each other come training camp.
“I think highly of him, I really do,” Saleh said about Purdy this week. “He is really good. You get jaded sometimes, I think, when you’re looking at certain players for a certain amount of time, and as a new face coming in, and seeing Brock, I’m like, ‘Son of a gun is pretty damn good,’ to where I could see where you get so used to seeing it, it becomes a standard, and you’re always trying to elevate it.
“Not every head coach or not every organization is able to look at their quarterback and compare it to Brock. Brock is a damn good quarterback. I’m trying not to talk poorly on other quarterbacks around the league, but he is one of the better ones.”
The competition should only elevate each side, so that battle could end up being the biggest takeaways of camp.