49ers' Kyle Shanahan gives discouraging update on two superstars' contract talks

The San Francisco 49ers had one of the most dominant offenses in the league in 2023. Unfortunately, a large chunk of that offense is uncertain to return for the new season.

Two of the 49ers' biggest stars, receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tackle Trent Williams, are engaged in a staredown with San Francisco over their future contracts. Both are uncertain to remain with the team long-term, and Aiyuk has been the subject of rampant trade speculation all summer.

Though Aiyuk is present at camp, he hasn't been participating in football activities, while Williams has not yet reported at all.

Given the rapid approach of the start of the regular season, a 49ers fan might reasonably hope that some progress is being made in one or both of the negotiations. But according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, that is decidedly not the case.

"Zero updates. Nothing has changed," Shanahan said, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The two stars are in very different stages of their careers. Aiyuk is 26, and in the final year of his rookie contract, while Williams is 36, and in the fourth year of a six-year deal that has no guaranteed money remaining after the upcoming season.

Both, however, are key cogs in the 49ers' high-powered offense. Aiyuk is coming off his first career All-Pro nod after posting a career-high 1,342 receiving yards while Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler, is widely considered the class of the left tackle position.

Shanahan's stoic refrain is an appropriate summary of the stalemate between the 49ers and both of the two players right now, and also the shortening window of time to get a deal done before the season kicks off.

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