3 things to know ahead of 49ers training camp in ‘prove it’ season

Coming off a 12-5 season and possessing legitimate Super Bowl hopes, the 49ers’ first training camp practice is set for Sunday (July 26).

Here are three storylines to keep an eye on:

Health of key players

After watching one key player after another go down with significant injuries last season, there is simply no getting around how critical health will be for the 49ers in 2026.

Avoiding a similar nightmare to last year is the key to them being legitimate Super Bowl contenders or back on the outside looking in.

Defensive ends Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, linebacker Fred Warner and tight end George Kittle all went down with season-ending injuries last year, and all four were at various points in their rehab by the end of the offseason program.

The goal is for each to be available for the season opener against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, with training camp serving as the pathway for reentry.

In addition, quarterback Brock Purdy and veteran wide receiver Mike Evans missed significant time last year due to injuries, so keep an eye on how the 49ers manage both during camp.

Could Mac Jones get traded?

You hate to even think about injuries this time of year, but it’s almost inevitable that a quarterback goes down somewhere around the NFL. Perhaps as early as training camp.

If so, the trade market for Jones will heat up.

The former Alabama star revitalized his career when he had to step in for an injured Purdy last year, making eight starts and completing 69.6% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions. He led the 49ers to a 5-3 record.

Without Jones, the 49ers would not have made the playoffs last season. His play was expected to result in a robust trade market during the offseason, but it never materialized. At least not in a way that compelled the 49ers to pull the trigger on a deal.

Given Purdy’s injury history, it made sense that San Francisco would hold onto Jones. He proved his value to them last year, so no chance they were just going to give him away for anything less than an ideal return.

That will change if a contending team’s quarterback goes down in training camp. Or, if a team auditioning quarterbacks for the starting job isn’t convinced it has a suitable option.

With Jones headed to free agency at the end of the season, the 49ers could opt to trade him and at least get some value for his departure.

Who will win the left guard spot?

Ben Bartch and Spencer Burford, the 2025 starters at left guard, both left via free agency. Neither was particularly effective, so there is a strong possibility the 49ers will benefit from their departures rather than feel the pinch.

But without a definitive replacement, there is no guarantee the 49ers will improve at that position. In fact, there is a chance it could actually get worse.

Connor Colby, a seventh-round pick in 2025, is the odds-on favorite to win the job. But it’s hard to ignore how badly he struggled in the six starts he made last year and his eventual benching as a result.

Veteran Robert Jones and rookies Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr. are also in the mix. As the 49ers transition into fully padded practices during camp, this will be a spirited battle to watch.