Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy recently praised his offensive line during an interview on KNBR, calling them “war daddies” and expressing complete confidence in the unit. The offensive line has long been a focal point of criticism from fans, many of whom hoped the team would address it more aggressively during the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the 49ers used only one selection on the offensive line, and that didn’t come until the seventh round with the addition of guard Connor Colby.
While Purdy remains optimistic, not everyone shares his sentiment.
Retired 49ers offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, who announced his retirement in February but hinted at a possible return, had harsh words for the team’s current O-line. In a recent social media post, Feliciano praised much of the team, but at the expense of the offensive line.
“Everyone on the team are first ballet hall of famers to be able to have so much success in spite of that s—-y OL,” Feliciano wrote.
Everyone on the team are first ballet hall of famers to be able to have so much success in spite of that shitty OL 😂😂 https://t.co/31pADT9Smr
— Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) May 22, 2025
Feliciano previously wrote, “I’ll be ready for a playoff run in December if you need me,” in his retirement announcement. But with this latest jab—deserved or not—a potential reunion with the 49ers seems unlikely.
The veteran guard was placed on injured reserve on August 28, 2024, and did not return last season. His absence opened the door for rookie guard Dominick Puni, who quickly made a name for himself. Puni earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade (80.5) among all rookie offensive linemen in 2024, emerging as a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.
Despite ongoing scrutiny from his former teammate, Purdy remains confident entering the 2025 season.
“Those guys up front, I can tell you, they are war daddies,” Purdy said. “Every single day, they’re coming to work, getting better. I’ve got their back, they’ve got mine, and now we’re going to be just fine. And these guys here have what it takes to have a successful season. Everybody’s going to find out soon.
“So, I’ve got their backs, and it’s nothing but love. And I really do believe in these guys. I’m not just saying that to say that. These guys have taken the next step this offseason, and we’re all going to continue to grow together.”
We’ll soon find out whether Purdy is right about his offensive line, or if general manager John Lynch and the 49ers should have invested more heavily in protecting their high-priced franchise quarterback.
H/t to Nick San Miguel of Niner Noise for the find.
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