NFL teams have been put on high alert after it emerged Trent Williams could leave the San Francisco 49ers this offseason.
The offensive tackle finds himself in another contract dispute with the 49ers just 18 months after he signed a reworked three-year, $82.66 million deal to end a 40-day training camp holdout.
With just one year left on those terms now, the 49ers are locked in talks with the perennial Pro Bowler.
But, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the parties are ‘struggling to find a solution’. Williams, 37, is set to count $38.8m against the 49ers salary cap this season.
If they cannot come to an agreement, Williams could be released and he will find himself on the open market when free agency begins on March 11.
However, speaking at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, 49ers GM John Lynch revealed he recently held ‘good and productive meetings’ with Williams and his agent and added: ‘Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner. We’re all on the same page… I feel very positive where that’s going.’
NFL teams have been put on high alert after it emerged Trent Williams could leave the 49ers
Losing Williams would be a damaging blow to the 49ers and their head coach Kyle Shanahan
Williams would attract interest from almost every team in the NFL and the loss would be a damaging blow to the 49ers.
Widely considered one of the NFL’s top offensive linemen, he set the record for most Pro Bowl selections by an offensive tackle this year with his 12th nod.
His run of making the Pro Bowl in 11 straight seasons that he played in finally ended back in 2024 when he missed the final seven games with a left ankle injury.
Speaking last summer, Williams said he still has the goal of playing through his age 40 season in 2028 and maybe even beyond if he’s still capable.
‘I’m taking everything one year at a time,’ he said. ‘I feel like if my play warrants more guaranteed or a new year or two on the deal or whatever, then I’m here for it.
‘If not, then it’d be time to settle on to the sunset. I understand what’s going on, but I’m at the point where I’m not looking. I’m just going day by day and whatever happens is going to happen.’