The 49ers have a host of position battles across the roster in training camp, most of which are primarily confined to the defensive side of the ball.
There are spots up for grabs on the defensive line, at linebacker, and at cornerback.
Before camp, it seemed likely that there would not be much in the way of competition at safety, with Jason Pinnock the favorite to start at one spot in place of the injured Malik Mustapha, and Ji’Ayir Brown the frontrunner to man the other.
However, asked about the safety
position on Thursday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh made it clear nothing is guaranteed when it comes to the starters at those spots.
Saleh told a press conference:
“It’s wide open. JP [Pinnock] coming in, Richie Grant, [Marques] Sigle being a rookie. Obviously Ji’Ayir, Mustapha and then there’s some young guys back there that are fresh with [Jaylen] Mahoney and [CB Derek] Canteen and [CB Siran] Neal. I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody, but it is a wide-open competition at safety, at both spots.”
Saleh’s words should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt. His remarks are classic coach speak often used to remind players nothing is given.
But they indicate that, even when he returns from the torn ACL he suffered in Week 18 last year, Mustapha cannot be sure of an immediate return to the starting lineup.
And his comments are also reflective of the situation at safety. Mustapha and Brown have both flashed significant promise during their still fledgling careers, but neither was selected when Saleh was in the building. It makes sense that he is not willing to commit to either as a starter right away.
Similarly, while Saleh is on the record as being a big fan of Pinnock, whom he drafted during his time as head coach of the New York Jets, it’s far too early for the 49ers to determine that he is worthy of being a starter, especially after he struggled in that role in 2024 for the New York Giants.
With Brown out injured during OTAs and minicamp, Pinnock and Brown were the first-team safeties. On Friday, Grant got some first-team work during practice.
It is, therefore, fair to take Saleh’s words at face value pertaining to the experienced and versatile Grant, while Sigle should take some encouragement that he could put himself firmly in the conversation to start as a rookie.
Having a safety who can hold up in coverage from the slot is paramount for defenses in the modern NFL, and the ability to communicate clearly to execute coverage rotations effectively is also crucial.
Those two factors will go a long way to determining the two players who begin Week 1 as the starting safeties. The first-team reps in practice offer an early clue, but it’s clear Saleh is not playing favorites at this juncture.
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