49ers believe deal with Trent Williams could be imminent
San Francisco 49ers’ Trent Williams (71) whereas taking part in Los Angeles Rams throughout NFL recreation at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Thursday, October 2, 2025.
PHOENIX — Over the years, in the course of the San Francisco 49ers‘Myriad contract negotiations with their many star gamers, basic supervisor John Lynch has sometimes been circumspect when discussing these high-stakes discussions with reporters.
Given that, it was notable Sunday when Lynch mentioned this: An settlement with All-Pro left sort out Trent Williams could be imminent.
“I would say in the last week, it’s kind of intensified,” Lynch mentioned on the NFL homeowners’ conferences. “And it feels like we’re on the precipice of something good happening.”
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Lynch’s characterization certified as a shock. Before his revelation, there have been a number of nationwide stories over the previous month stating the 49ers could commerce or launch Williams in the event that they could not conform to phrases. The truth that personal talks turned public indicated the negotiations had gotten messy and Williams could replicate his prolonged 2024 holdout, if the 49ers did not determine to sever ties.
Lynch, nevertheless, dismissed the concept talks with Williams and his agent, Vincent Taylor, had been contentious.
“This one’s never got ugly,” Lynch mentioned. “It’s been very simple, direct, and I just think there’s a lot of nuance to that situation. He’s one of the great players, I think, to ever play the game. But there’s a reality with his age. And so it’s like — how do you thread that needle? And how do you find a deal where everyone’s taken care of and happy? And so, I think, there’s some special nuance to it that we’ve tried to work through. And both sides have been good with that.”
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The scenario: Williams, who carries a team-high $46.34 million wage cap cost in 2026 within the remaining 12 months of his contract, will flip 38 in July. The 49ers wish to decrease his cap cost by signing him to an extension that can maintain him below contract by at the least the 2027 season, which has impressed the query: How a lot to pay a still-elite participant who might lastly begin exhibiting his age in his age-39 season?
Despite the stories of a potential commerce or launch, a part of the methods appeared unlikely. The 49ers would assume a whopping $34.15 million useless cap cost in the event that they traded or launched Williams. And they do not have an enough substitute for the 12-time Pro Bowl decide on the roster. Their high backup sort out is Vederian Lowe, 26, who was signed earlier this month after he made 4 fill-in begins as a backup with the Patriots final 12 months.
Lynch did sofa his optimism concerning Williams on Sunday by saying he beforehand had optimistic contract talks disintegrate.
“These things (have) felt like (this) before,” Lynch mentioned. “But I do feel like we’re in good communication and hopeful.”
Injury updates: Lynch mentioned the 49ers have been “hopeful” All-Pro tight finish George Kittle could play within the regular-season opener after he suffered a torn Achilles on Jan. 11.
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In addition, he mentioned he expects All-Pro go rusher Nick Bosa to be able to apply firstly of coaching camp after he suffered a torn ACL in September. go rusher Michael Williamsthe No. 11 decide in final 12 months’s draft, could be ramped up slowly in the course of the summer season after he tore his ACL in November.
“His (recovery) could go into the season, but he’s doing really well,” Lynch mentioned.
Not performed: Lynch mentioned the staff’s three present candidates to begin at left guard — Robert Jones, Connor Colby and Brett Toth — could ultimately be bypassed on the depth chart by a rookie.
“I don’t think we’re done there yet,” Lynch mentioned. “You know, we still have a draft.”
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Jones, 27, is probably going the highest candidate to begin earlier than the draft after signing a one-year deal final week. He’s made 30 profession begins, together with 17 in 2024 with the Dolphins, however he missed final season with a damaged bone in his neck. Jones spent three seasons (2022-24) with then-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, a former 49ers offensive coordinator.
“He’s very familiar with the things that we do, the way we play, and we’ve liked him,” Lynch mentioned.