Trent Williams not bluffing about holdout as 49ers contract saga drags on

The San Francisco 49ers just can't seem to get everyone in the building. Not only is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk refusing to report due to his haggling over a new contract, but veteran left tackle Trent Williams is also not reporting to 49ers camp due to his insistence on getting a new deal. This comes in spite of the fact he signed a six-year contract with the 49ers in 2021.

Williams might be 36 years old, but there is a good case to be made for the idea that he is still the best left tackle in football. The 49ers' offense, particularly quarterback Brock Purdy, looks much different when Williams is not on the field. Even moreso than Aiyuk, a deal needs to get done.

The problem is that Williams is asking for big-time money at 36 years old when many other stars on the 49ers also want their next payday. This has created an impasse, and the latest rumblings make it seem like little movement will happen in the immediate future.

Josina Anderson reported that Williams wants to be "paid-paid" and implied that Williams is "not playing around." The odds of him missing the start of the season until a new contract is reached seem to be growing with each passing day.

Trent Williams contract situation getting worse for 49ers

In 2023, Purdy threw 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions when Williams was fully healthy. In games when the 11-time Pro Bowler either suffered an injury or played fewer than 50% of snaps, Purdy was bench-worthy, throwing three touchdowns against nine interceptions.

The 49ers will need Williams for their first game of the season against the New York Jets. Even without Haason Reddick due to his holdout, the Jets have one of the strongest defensive lines in the league. Would Jaylon Moore give anyone confidence against that Jets defense?

Williams getting a new contract would likely mean the end of Aiyuk discussions, as the 49ers need to save up for the eventual Purdy deal coming down the bend. Williams may be the better player right now, but Aiyuk is much younger and a much more valuable asset.

The 49ers will still be good without Williams, but San Francisco will go from the favorites to win the NFC in 2024 to a solid team without a player like Williams keeping Purdy upright. Williams is playing hardball, and John Lynch may eventually cave to his demands.