Trent Williams, 49ers Finalizing New Contract Ahead of 2024 NFL Week 1 vs Jets
September 3, 2024
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.
Williams' agency confirmed Tuesday that the left tackle is finalizing a new deal with the 49ers after he returned to the Bay Area on Monday night.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterEleven-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 <a href="https://twitter.com/fredro_silver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@fredro_silver</a>. A deal appears close. <a href="https://t.co/psjwnYgGih">pic.twitter.com/psjwnYgGih</a>
On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 2:25 mark), Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the 49ers and Williams have been discussing a new contract and talks were moving in a "positive direction."
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.
Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafoloFrom <a href="https://twitter.com/gmfb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gmfb</a>: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/49ers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#49ers</a> and hold-in WR Brandon Aiyuk remain in a standoff while a resolution with holdout Trent Williams isn't close. Meanwhile <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a> pass rusher Haason Reddick remains away from the team. <a href="https://t.co/ig2ZADhrTi">pic.twitter.com/ig2ZADhrTi</a>
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.
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