The San Francisco 49ers could use reinforcements on the interior of their offensive line. This offseason, bolstering the trenches will be a key focus for general manager John Lynch. One free-agent guard, in particular, could be a compelling option for the 49ers to consider.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill is set to be one of the top interior defenders available in free agency this offseason. With the Bengals working to manage contracts for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson, Hill could be the odd man out.
The 49ers could benefit from adding another interior lineman alongside Javon Hargrave, and Hill fits the profile of an underrated but impactful defender. The 29-year-old has been a key starter for the Bengals over the past three seasons, recording 175 combined tackles and 10.5 sacks in 48 games.
Hill would bring veteran leadership and strong run defense to San Francisco’s defensive line. While he’s looking for a solid payday, he isn’t expected to command top-tier defensive tackle money.
Spotrac projects his market value at $9 million per season, with a potential two-year deal worth under $20 million—significantly less than the top-tier defensive tackles earning over $20 million annually. Given his reliability and steady production, Hill could be a smart investment for the 49ers.
Jaguars hire Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as GM
The San Francisco 49ers won’t be losing Josh Williams to the Jacksonville Jaguars after all. On Friday, the Jaguars announced the hiring of Los Angeles Rams director of scouting James Gladstone as their new general manager.
That’s one less concern for the 49ers. While this was mentioned in the Golden Nuggets earlier, it’s worth acknowledging again—especially since San Francisco has repeatedly lost key staff members to other teams over the years.
The 49ers have consistently seen coaches and front office personnel poached by rival teams, with the most notable recent departure being Adam Peters to the Washington Commanders. This ongoing trend is a testament to the team’s success and the value other organizations see in bringing that winning culture into their own operations.
The fear of losing Williams was legitimate, as he was reportedly one of the top finalists for the Jaguars’ GM position. With Gladstone also among the final candidates, there were no surprises or last-minute hires. Gladstone now takes over for Trent Baalke, who was dismissed in January. Given Baalke’s past as the 49ers’ former GM, it would have been ironic if he had managed to take another key figure from San Francisco on his way out.
While this decision puts the Rams in a tough spot—forcing them to either promote internally or find a replacement for Gladstone—it does come with one downside for the 49ers: no compensatory picks. Had Williams been hired, San Francisco would have received a compensatory third-round pick in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts under the NFL’s initiative to promote minority hiring in front offices and coaching staffs.
As for other departures, the 49ers did lose Brandon Staley on Friday, as he accepted the defensive coordinator role with the New Orleans Saints. For now, that appears to be the only exit of the day.
