San Francisco, CA – May 27, 2025
When a team crashes from playoff contender to 6-11 mediocrity, someone’s going to take the heat. For the 2024 San Francisco 49ers, that fire just found its fuel — and it came from within. Former offensive guard Jonathan Feliciano, who suited up for the team just a season ago, ignited a firestorm this week when he delivered a blistering assessment of the 49ers’ offensive line.
In a pointed social media post, Feliciano didn’t hold back: “Everyone on the team are first ballot Hall of Famers to be able to have so much success in spite of that s**** OL.”* The comment, raw and unapologetic, stunned many in the fanbase — not because criticism of the line was new, but because it came from someone who was a part of it.
The context only amplifies the sting. Last season, the 49ers gave up 36 sacks — ranking 12th best in the NFL — a number that would suggest competence if not excellence. But according to Feliciano, those numbers are deceptive. What looked manageable on paper, he argues, masked deeper issues in pass protection, consistency, and physical dominance — all foundational traits for any playoff-caliber offensive unit.
Quarterback Brock Purdy, now the face of the franchise after signing a five-year, $265 million extension, took a very different tone when asked about the criticism. Speaking with KNBR’s Coach Yac, Purdy stood firmly behind his linemen: “Those guys up front, they are war daddies. Every single day, they come to work, getting better. I’ve got their back and they got mine.”
Purdy’s loyalty isn’t surprising — it’s the kind of leadership fans expect. But Feliciano’s remarks throw a spotlight on a concern that’s been simmering since last season’s collapse: is the O-line good enough to protect a $265 million investment?
To make matters more complex, the 49ers made only modest additions to the position group this offseason, bringing in four new linemen via free agency and the draft — none expected to start. That strategy signals confidence in their current lineup, or, depending on your perspective, a dangerous gamble.
Inside the locker room, there’s no visible tension — at least not yet. But Feliciano’s comments have cracked open a conversation the team may have preferred to avoid. In a league where protection equals longevity, especially for franchise quarterbacks, the 49ers’ offensive line is once again under the microscope.
And thanks to a former teammate’s brutal honesty, the pressure just got a whole lot louder.
