The San Francisco 49ers certainly wish things weren't going sour with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams in an apparent contract dispute that doesn't appear to have an easy resolution.
And if things continue to deteriorate as reported, the Niners may be inclined to part ways with the future Hall of Famer, leaving a glaring hole on the left side of the offensive line to which there's no apparent replacement.
General manager John Lynch could wait until the NFL Draft this April to find a long-term left tackle, should Williams ultimately depart.
But, having a quick fallback option would be a smart move.
It just so happens one might be available in free agency, and it'd involve a player San Francisco was linked to before.
49ers can target D.J. Humphries as a Trent Williams insurance policy
Remember after the draft a year ago when the 49ers apparently were signing veteran free-agent left tackle D.J. Humphries, only for subsequent news to break that no contract was ever reached?
Humphries, who spent the better part of his career within the NFC West with the rival Arizona Cardinals, ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Rams instead of the Niners last offseason, but it quickly became apparent he was no longer the stalwart kind of starter he was during his heyday years in Arizona.
Over eight games played, only one of which was a start, the 32-year-old Round 1 draftee from 2014 managed a lowly 41.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
But San Francisco shouldn't get too hung up on a lackluster effort out in LA. It's not looking for a long-term solution to a potential Williams departure, rather just a stopgap measure in case contract talks stall, and the premiere left tackle ultimately leaves the Bay Area.
The 49ers already tried a year ago but couldn't manage to close the deal.
They may need to try a little harder this go-around.