The San Francisco 49ers have found themselves in a challenging situation as they face both a resolved hold-in and an ongoing holdout. While they successfully secured a new contract with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the team still waits for a resolution with star tackle Trent Williams, who remains absent with Week 1 fast approaching.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan, on August 21, expressed cautious optimism regarding the negotiations with Williams, stating, “Hopefully, it’s getting close.” Around the same time, DeSean Jackson, a former teammate of Williams in Washington, hinted that Williams might return soon. However, as September begins, no agreement has been reached.
It’s uncommon for players under contract to miss game checks, but Williams has proven he’s not afraid to take a stand. He previously sat out an entire season due to dissatisfaction with Washington, demonstrating his resolve. Williams is set to earn $20.05 million this year, ranking him sixth among all tackles in terms of new-money average at $23 million annually. However, he has no remaining guarantees on his contract, which still has three years left.
Rules for vested veterans, if Williams is on the active roster for Week 1, his 2024 salary becomes effectively guaranteed. Should he be released at any point during the season, he would be entitled to the full amount of his salary as termination pay. This indicates that Williams’ holdout isn’t just about guaranteed money for 2024 but also about securing a better financial deal overall—something the 49ers have yet to offer.
Some speculated that after finalizing Aiyuk’s contract, the 49ers would turn their attention to Williams. However, this overlooks the fact that negotiations with Williams have been ongoing. The reality is that despite their efforts, the 49ers haven’t offered enough to convince Williams to return. Without Williams, the 49ers would likely turn to Jaylon Moore, a 2021 fifth-round pick, to fill the gap. While Moore might hold his own, he’s not Trent Williams.
As the 49ers aim to secure their sixth Super Bowl title, 30 years after their last, the importance of having Williams on the roster cannot be overstated. Williams understands this, and more importantly, he’s willing to stay away until he gets the deal he wants. If that means sitting out the season, he’s shown before that he has the resolve to do so.