How Moore benefits from Williams opting out of his contract with the 49ers Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
SANTA CLARA — Jaylon Moore He’s the player no one on the 49ers wants to see in the starting lineup in Week 1.
Uh, nothing personal.
The 49ers might be confident that Moore will step into the lineup when needed, but everyone on the team would prefer that Trent Williams‘The contract situation will be resolved in enough time for the three-time All-Pro left tackle to get on the field for the season opener.
“He’s dealing with his situation, so I left it at that,” Moore said of Williams.
“I wouldn’t consider it a strange situation. I just keep my head down and take it day by day, trying to be the best I can be.”
Moore was selected in the fourth round of the draft by the 49ers. 2021 NFL Draft He hails from Western Michigan. He served as a backup at both tackle positions and started seven games in his first three seasons.
Now, he’s in position to start at left tackle when the 49ers open the season against The New York Jets Monday, September 9th.
Moore has practiced with the first-team offense since the first day of training camp. Williams, meanwhile, declined to report due to a contract dispute. He remains without a deal to return to the team.
Moore has earned valuable practice time this summer by facing a defense similar to the one the 49ers will face in Week 1 against the Jets. Former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is the Jets’ head coach.
“I think it’s been very beneficial,” Moore said. “Playing against the best consistently, practicing against them every day, finding a rhythm makes everything a little bit better.”
“I’m building camaraderie with the offensive line (No. 1) and just being a little more fluid.”
Moore has probably received more quality practice time than many other backup offensive linemen in the NFL over the past few seasons.
Williams, 36, has regularly scheduled off days in practice during the season to stay fresh for a long season.
Moore, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, knows his place. He said he has tried to focus only on his own game rather than thinking about when he might get a chance to become a full-time starter.
“I just stay focused and keep working to get better every day,” he said. “And of course, being behind the greatest left tackle of all time and learning from him every day has been my calling card. I’m just trying to get the most out of him while he’s here.”