The 49ers have released guard Zane Beadles, who was benched and replaced by Lake Tomlinson after starting last year’s season opener.
The benching was part of a forgettable season for Beadles, 31, who entered 2017 having made 96 straight starts during which he missed just seven plays since becoming a starter with the Broncos in 2011. A 2010 second-round pick, Beadles was voted to the Pro Bowl with Denver in 2012.
The 49ers released Beadles now to give him a chance to sign with another team before training camp. They haven’t ruled out re-signing him if he remains unemployed and a need arises. The 49ers cleared about $3.5 million in salary cap space with the move.
“Zane is a consummate professional and has represented our organization with exceptional class,” general manager John Lynch said. “He is an unselfish guy who stepped up in a big way for our team last year and we can’t thank him enough for all his contributions to the organization and our community. Zane is just the kind of player and person we would always be open to welcoming back down the road, but releasing him now provides ample opportunity to find the right situation with his next team.
Due to injuries in 2107, Beadles returned to the starting lineup as a fill-in at right tackle for four late-season games. And his versatility was often highlighted after he signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the 49ers in 2016.
In his first season with the 49ers, Beadles spent time at tackle, a position he hadn’t played since 2010, and center, a position he had never played at any level before 2016.
However, this offseason he was behind Tomlinson, Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper on the depth chart at guard. The 49ers also have Erik Magnuson, who plays both center and guard.
In August, when Beadles was playing with the second-string in training camp and working to learn head coach Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone blocking scheme, he said he understood the realities of his situation.
“The moment you enter this league, they’re looking for someone to replace you,” Beadles said. “You have to understand that and have that mind-set. This year is no different, and probably more so with the new regime.”
Twitter: @Eric_Branch