Latest report clouds John Lynch's optimism on Trent Williams' contract situation

General manager John Lynch didn't sound overly concerned about the San Francisco 49ers' current contractual impasse with perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams when speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine just over a week ago.

And that had to be a bit of relief in response to reports the Niners were preparing to move on from the eventual Hall of Famer if they couldn't find a bridge between the contract differences in the very near future.

Yet a follow-up report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo seems to stand in contrast to what Lynch offered up at the combine, indicating there's been almost zero movement on the Williams front, at least in terms of an amicable agreement.

"From my understanding, there's been no progress since last week when the 49ers talked about the optimism that they'd get a new deal with Williams to remain with the 49ers heading into this upcoming season," Garafolo said. "So, there's still work that needs to be done there in the next couple of days to make sure Williams does not hit the market.

"If he does, there's going to be interest."

Now, it's hard to truly evaluate what's going on here. Perhaps Williams' camp leaked the news to Garafolo to put pressure on Lynch and the Niners to step up their actions.

Or, just as likely, Lynch and San Francisco's front office used NFL Network to prod along Williams' side.

It's hard to say.

Either way, the impasse potentially creates a problem for the 49ers, who have mostly failed to develop a contingency plan in the event Williams walks away (no matter how). And the urgency of the situation would seem to put more pressure on the Niners rather than the veteran tackle who'll have no shortage of suitors if he suddenly finds himself released.

Assuredly, San Francisco fans would have been happier if the report indicated progress had been made toward a resolution.