49ers free agency: 3 teams that could steal away Trent Williams

The 49ers watched in anticipation as Trent Williams hit the open NFL free agency market, and these teams could pull him away from San Francisco.

It honestly shouldn’t come as big a surprise the San Francisco 49ers have been unable to re-sign eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams before the opening of the NFL free agency negotiating window on March 15.

The Niners were able, however, to retain two of their other top free agents, cornerback Jason Verrett and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. But Williams wanted to test the market and see what his value was — something he said last January, via Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area:

"I am curious to see what my value is just going through that process. I felt like I was devalued in a lot of ways. I always put a good product on the field, but I think my character was questioned a lot. I was being told that there were no suitors, that there were no people looking to trade for me so I thought my value took a huge hit and I think it is curiosity where I want to see where that true value is now that everyone can shoot their shot without having to go through anybody."

Williams was speaking of his 2019 campaign with the Washington Football Team, which ultimately led to San Francisco trading for him during last year’s NFL Draft.

After taking a year off, 2020 proved the 32-year-old Williams is still one of the league’s elite offensive lineman.

Considering his age, though, this upcoming deal is likely the last massive one he’ll be poised to get, so it’s understandable why he’s willing to test the market despite saying the 49ers remain his preferred destination.

For now, unless one of these three teams is able to outbid the Niners and offer Williams more than he can turn down.