After resolving Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situation last week, the San Francisco 49ers are working to get Trent Williams back in the building before their Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets.
On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 2:25 mark), the 49ers and Williams have been discussing a new contract and talks are moving in a “positive direction” with less than one week remaining before the start of the regular season.
Adam Schefter of ESPN also reported the two sides “are trying to finalize a deal,” noting Williams returned to the Bay Area on Monday night:
Eleven-time Pro-Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers are trying to finalize a deal, per league sources. Williams returned to the Bay Area last night, according to his brother @fredro_silver. A deal appears close. pic.twitter.com/psjwnYgGih
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2024
Williams has skipped all of training camp and preseason waiting for a resolution to his contract. The star left tackle has three years remaining on the six-year, $138.1 million deal he signed in March 2021, but there is no guaranteed money left on the contract.
The 49ers were in a similar situation earlier this offseason with Christian McCaffrey. He still had time remaining on his previous deal with no guaranteed money left, so they signed him to a two-year, $38 million extension with $24 million fully guaranteed in June.
Aiyuk finally ended his hold-in on Aug. 30 when he signed a four-year, $120 million extension.
San Francisco is also preparing to give Brock Purdy a long-term extension when he is eligible to sign one next offseason.
Williams’ situation only complicates matters because of the market for top-tier tackles and age. He turned 36 on July 19, though there has been no decline in his play at this point.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported on Aug. 28 that Williams is “intent on proving his point” that he deserves a raise and might be willing to carry his holdout into the regular season.
From @gmfb: The #49ers and hold-in WR Brandon Aiyuk remain in a standoff while a resolution with holdout Trent Williams isn’t close. Meanwhile #Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick remains away from the team. pic.twitter.com/ig2ZADhrTi
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 28, 2024
Thursday could be an unofficial deadline for the 49ers to resolve the situation because that will be their first true practice leading up to Week 1. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows noted the reigning NFC champs also have a “bonus” practice on Tuesday night.
Williams isn’t a player who the 49ers need to get a lot of practice time to trust that he will be ready when the games begin.
San Francisco certainly needs Williams holding things down at left tackle. The offensive line struggled in his absence during the preseason. Jaylon Moore, who would start at left tackle if Williams is unavailable, allowed a team-high three pressures in the preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders
Williams is entering his fifth season with the 49ers. He has been named to the All-Pro first team in each of the past three years.
The 49ers will host the Jets at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 9 in the first Monday Night Football game of the season.