Report: Williams won’t return to 49ers until contract is settled Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
The 49ers could be without Trent Williams for the start of the 2024 NFL season.
San Francisco’s All-Pro left tackle sat out the entire training camp as Expect a restructured contractAnd it appears the 36-year-old is willing to wait even longer, with the 49ers’ Week 1 game against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium just 14 days away.
Williams will not return to the team until his contract is settled, and his waiver could extend into the regular season, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Monday on “SportsCenter.”
“Someone who was involved in the situation told me he won’t be available until his contract is worked out,” Fowler said. “He’s got three years left on his contract. That could extend into the regular season, since we’re just two weeks away from it starting. This is a player who’s made around $150 million in his career.
“He’s been playing golf, getting away from the team, doing his thing. Working out, of course, getting ready for the season. He’s not too stressed out about having to be on the field right now, and he’s the fourth-highest paid left tackle despite being the best the last few years.”
Fowler adds that San Francisco, as president of football operations and general manager John Lynch recently stated, Feel the urge to do something with Williams and star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is with the team but is also waiting for a new contract before taking the field.
“The 49ers know they have to do something about this one. They could improve the guarantees on his contract, but they’re dealing with Brandon Aiyuk at the same time they’re trying to get this player done,” Fowler added. “So they expect him to be in the lineup here soon.”
Williams, a polished 13-year NFL veteran, likely won’t need many practice reps to be ready for Week 1, which theoretically could give the 49ers a few extra days to work something out with Aiyuk before adjusting the left tackle’s contract.
However, it is critical to finalize a deal with Williams, arguably San Francisco’s most important player, before the start of the season.