The San Francisco 49ers are facing contract negotiations on multiple fronts as star left tackle Trent Williams joins wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in seeking new deals.
Williams, a three-time All-Pro and considered one of the best offensive linemen in football, was absent from the team’s training camp on Wednesday. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Williams‘ absence was due to “contract reasons.” The 36-year-old Williams signed a six-year, $138 million contract with the 49ers in 2021, tying him to the Bay Area franchise through the 2026 season.
However, Williams is now reportedly looking for a raise from his current $20.05 million salary for this season. The request comes after recent lucrative deals for fellow offensive linemen Penei Sewell, Laremy Tunsil, and Andrew Thomas, who are set to earn more than the likely future Hall of Famer.
Despite the holdout, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan remains optimistic about resolving the issue. “I knew it could be a possibility. I feel pretty confident it will all work out in the long run and he’ll be here and we’ll get on the same page with everything,” Shanahan said on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
Williams is one of the best in his position
Even as he nears his late 30s, Williams continues to be a dominant force on the field. He has been named First-Team All-Pro for the past three seasons and has earned 11 Pro Bowl selections throughout his illustrious career.
Williams is not the only 49er seeking a new contract this summer. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk also reported to training camp but did not practice on Wednesday, amid a protracted contract dispute. Aiyuk formally requested a trade out of San Francisco last week, after a summer of stalled negotiations.
Rapoport noted that there have been no extensive extension talks between Aiyuk and the 49ers since May. Despite the impasse, San Francisco general manager John Lynch expressed confidence in retaining Aiyuk. “We fully intend on Brandon being a Niner moving forward,” Lynch said on Tuesday. “We expect Brandon to be an integral part of our team.”
The 49ers face a critical period as they work to resolve contract disputes with two of their key players ahead of the upcoming NFL season.
