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49ers won’t extend Trent Williams right away, per John Lynch

By Peter Panacy

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Offensive tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 28, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 27-12. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 28: Offensive tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins looks on from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 28, 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 27-12. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers made a blockbuster draft-day move by trading for offensive tackle Trent Williams, but general manager John Lynch indicated an extension isn’t pending right now.

Day three of the 2020 NFL Draft was significant for the San Francisco 49ers in a number of ways, chief among them the blockbuster news veteran left tackle Joe Staley was going to officially announce his retirement.

Staley and the Niners kept the lid on the news leading up to the draft because they had a contingency plan in place: working out a trade with the Washington Redskins for perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams. Had news got out, the Redskins would have assuredly upped the asking price.

Instead, San Francisco only had to give up a 2020 fifth- and 2021 third-round pick to acquire Williams. By all accounts, an absolute steal for a player equal to Staley’s caliber and notably younger.

But the move does come with some risks. Williams sat out all of 2019 while seeking a new contract. And despite the trade, he’s still a pending free agent a year from now.

The 49ers have their own financial restraints, although Staley’s retirement frees up roughly $10 million in cap space to afford Williams’ current contract. Beyond 2020, however, it’s anyone’s guess whether or not the Niners will be able to afford what will likely be a pretty lucrative deal.

Getting long-term security at left tackle seems to be a priority, yes, which has led many to think an extension is imminent, particularly when considering Williams’ actions with the Redskins a year ago.

According to general manager John Lynch, though, it’s not something the team is looking to do right away.

“I think the plan was to land him right now and then let the rest kind of work itself out,” Lynch said of Williams, via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “I think it’s always an advantage when you get someone in the building, on your roster. Now you’ve got a chance.”

By letting the rest “work itself out,” Lynch is inferring the 49ers aren’t going to commit top dollar to Williams right out of the gate, which might actually benefit both parties anyway. Williams still gets to go to an immediate Super Bowl contender, while playing on a contract year, and the Niners can get a seven-time Pro Bowler’s services to alleviate Staley’s departure right away.

According to Spotrac’s market-value tool, Williams is worth an average annual salary of $15.4 million. San Francisco is projected to have just under $46 million in available cap space in 2021, although plenty can change between now and then, including what will likely be a massive deal for All-Pro tight end George Kittle.

Still, even if Williams walks for a huge contract on the open market next year, it would assuredly net the 49ers a compensatory pick, probably in the range of a third rounder.

By that account, the Niners would essentially be renting Williams for one full season at the cost of a mere fifth-round draft pick.

Next. 49ers' biggest winners, losers from 2020 NFL Draft. dark

As such, Lynch and the 49ers pulled off the deal of deals, which should work out well for all parties involved almost irregardless of the eventual outcome.

Not a bad way to go, San Francisco.