The Trent Williams situation isn't getting any clearer for the San Francisco 49ers as the 2024 NFL season rapidly approaches. The star left tackle still has yet to report to camp, in a major blow to Brock Purdy and his offense.
NFL insiders have reported that 36-year-old Williams wants big money to reflect his importance to the franchise. Despite his age, the 49ers tackle is coming off three straight First-team All-Pro selections.
The Williams situation is also compounded by San Francisco's very public hesitancy to either extend or trade Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk .
While quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense could certainly use Aiuyk, they probably need Williams even more. The team has gone just 3-6 in games without him since acquiring him from the Washington Commanders in 2020.
Last season, the 49ers lost both games Williams missed and dropped its Week Six meeting against the Cleveland Browns when he went down injured in the first quarter.
Why hasn't San Francisco rewarded the star player? For one, the team is stuck in cap hell. They are currently projected to be $38.9 million over the cap next season and that's before a potential Purdy extension or a Williams renegotiation is factored in.
So what's going on with Williams? The 36-year-old has not appeared at a single 49ers offseason activity, including the mandatory offseason program, mandatory minicamp, training camp, and the preseason. He is knowingly accruing fines along the way.
The left tackle still has three years on his deal at $20.05 million this year, $22.5 million next year, and $32.1 million in 2026 --- none of these are guaranteed.
When he signed an extension with the team a few years ago, Williams became the highest-paid offensive tackle in the game. He has since been passed by a slew of younger players for that title, and none of them have his resume.
Williams has made 11 Pro Bowls in the last 12 seasons, failing only in 2019 when he missed the entire season with Washington battling a cancerous growth.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shahanan didn't seem overly concerned when asked last week about his star tackle: "I've had some contact with him. It's been good talking to him. We're negotiating hard. Hopefully it's getting close."
The offensive line already did not project to be a strength for the team, with the top of the depth chart currently featuring the quintet of LT Jaylon Moore, LG Aaron Banks, C Jake Brendel, RG Dominick Puni, and RT Colton McKivitz.
Unfortunately, the 49ers will face the New York Jets and their fearsome front seven in Week One. New York is dealing with a holdout of their own, as star edge rusher Haason Reddick has yet to appear with the team.
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