There’s a scene in the movie “Colors” where the veteran cop tells a rookie about two bulls and a herd of cows at the bottom of the hill. The older bull takes his time getting down the hill to preserve his energy for when he gets to — make friends (family publication).

The 49ers’ offensive line has steadily improved after a rough start and is now finishing the season strong.

“It’s just the natural course of a season,” left tackle Trent Williams, 37, said. “The veterans have to knock some rust off to start off, and the younger guys are still learning. But as you get more game tape to study and to correct, things start to get better, and things start to get rolling.

“You get comfortable and start playing together better. … I don’t think anybody was too worried.”

According to TruMedia, during the team’s five-game winning streak, the 49ers’ sacks allowed rate has dropped from 5 percent to 3 percent — which would rank 1st in the NFL. The offensive line is also getting more push in the running game — up 0.4 yards before contact per rush the last five weeks, per TruMedia — while also showing improvement after contact.

“They keep getting better,” said coach Kyle Shanahan, whose 11-4 team hosts the 11-4 Chicago Bears on Sunday night. “I mean, the more you play together and stay healthy, usually if you work the right way you get better as a unit. They’re moving together, blocking well in the run game and doing a really good job in the pass game also.”

Veterans Williams, center Jake Brendel (33) and right tackle Colton McKivitz (29) flank youngsters Dominick Puni (25) at right guard and Spencer Burford (25) at left guard. Puni sustained a knee injury in the preseason and took a while to get comfortable again, while Burford started the year as a backup tackle before taking over full-time for the injured Ben Bartch.

“I think every team kind of has a slow start at offensive line,” Puni said. “But as the year went on, you could definitely tell a difference, just the chemistry, the camaraderie, reps, reps, reps, over and over and over, just keep building, keep stacking.

“You could definitely see an improvement in the run game and the pass game.”

When in doubt, lean on the old guys and OL coach Chris Foerster, 64.

“They’ve been there and done pretty much every scenario, and they just remind the young guys to keep playing ball,” Puni said. ”You’re gonna have losses, you gonna have wins, just keep doing what you know and good things will happen.”

Quarterback Brock Purdy is excited that unit is healthy with two regular-season games and the playoffs on deck.

“They’re playing together and have now had a bunch of games with Burford, too,” Purdy said.”They’ve done a great job with building off games with the run game and the pass pro. It’s been nice, obviously, to be able to get the ball out of my hand too, to help them out, get into a rhythm.”

Purdy also credited Shanahan and Foerster.

“I feel like the play calls and everything have helped (the line),” he said, “and when it comes to one-on-one blocking, too, in certain situations, third downs, they’ve stepped up and done a great job of giving me time. So, across the board, it’s been a team effort there, and I’m really proud of those guys right now.”

Purdy gave the offensive linemen Rolex watches on Wednesday for Christmas. That was especially well-deserved for Williams, who tied the NFL record for most Pro Bowl selections in a career for an offensive tackle with 12.

As @BrandonThornNFL shows in these quick clips, Trent Williams’ speed, agility and skill are still elite at 37 years old. pic.twitter.com/yiSvWIr43s

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 27, 2025

“Trent remains an elite run blocker who routinely executes techniques and blocks in the run game that no other tackle can replicate,” said Brandon Thorn, an offensive line analyst who owns the Trench Warfare newsletter. “He still has rare burst and explosiveness on the move with an incredible feel for the intent of the play and what he can/can’t get away with.

“His anchor in pass protection hasn’t been quite as sturdy as his prime years but he’s still able to expand and protect the corner at an elite level — which allows him to succeed on an island.”

Williams said after Monday night’s win over the Indianapolis Colts that he has no plans to retire soon, and you can tell that he enjoys working with the team’s younger players.

Do what he says, and don’t try and do what he does.

Burford has said it’s not possible to replicate the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Williams’ strength or agility.

“The only thing I see and learn from watching Trent is that he’s just not real,” Puni said, “The other guys in the room talk about what he must have been like at 23, 24, ‘cause he looks amazing right now. He moves better than everybody … he’s way faster than me.”

Williams is just focused on the present, with two home games remaining and the chance to host more in the playoffs.

“Home is where the heart is,” he said. “Anytime you play in front of your home fans, it’s always something you should take advantage of. Especially with us, we have some of the best fans in sports, period. “Anytime we can bring somebody to our stadium, we have an advantage.”