SANTA CLARA — As the 49ers Faithful grows impatient with Brandon Aiyuk's contract deadlock and practice boycott, left tackle Trent Williams' defiance is sparking an outcry on social media, which is addressed on this week's mailbag:
How confident are we that Trent will sign a brand new contract? (@andyz65c10)
Confidence stays high, as do Trent Williams' contract demands. General manager John Lynch said Wednesday there was “good communication” as they “bounced ideas” to eventually reach a breakthrough. Williams is simply halfway through a six-year contract that made him the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman (at an annual salary of $10,000).
Three All-Pro honors followed in as a few years, so it's comprehensible if the 36-year-old Williams desires to get “paid, paid.” When he signed as a free agent in 2021 after a tryout, the ultimate yr of that contract (2026) offered a $32.2 million salary that encouraged Kyle Shanahan to pursue Williams; that salary could also be what he's already demanding. Nick Bosa's contract denial lasted until he signed a record-setting contract just days before last season's opening game, so why wouldn't Williams wish to do the identical? As a reminder, September 9 is the opening game against the New York Jets.
Will the O-Line be their downfall this yr? (@supanove)
Williams' status may determine that greater than the play of the opposite linemen. Rookie Dominick Puni faces a difficult baptism of fireside at right guard in Week 1, where he’ll likely face Quinnen Williams and ex-49ers Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas. Left guard Aaron Banks is anticipated to return to practice next Tuesday after his recent pinky finger surgery. With center Jake Brendel and right tackle Colton McKivitz also returning, there’s a familiarity aspect which will profit the offensive line greater than every other unit. However, Williams is the unparalleled anchor and his absence would sabotage the season.
If Aaron Banks isn't ready for Week 1, would they offer Burford a likelihood or give Zakelj a likelihood since he's taken all of the reps? (@zachudamann)
Banks is a player. It's doubtful that a forged on his pinky/hand would sideline him early in his contract yr. As for the contingency plan, Nick Zakelj could get the nod if he's been practicing there since Banks left. Another option is the more experienced Ben Bartch, who was re-signed on Wednesday. Spencer Burford has barely practiced in a month and has never played left guard.
Is there a possibility that BA will play with no contract? (@spoileralerts)
His absence from practice on Wednesday answers that query. After missing 20 practices for the reason that start of coaching camp, he has been physically healing from neck and back problems that were previously cited as the rationale for his on-field boycotts. His contract still stands, but at a salary of $14.1 million, lower than half the rising market price.
Who is almost certainly to make a deal this weekend? (@michael_budd)
Publicly, Williams' negotiations don't seem so bad. But the 49ers have thrown down the gauntlet to Aiyuk by announcing that he’s physically fit to practice. While which may be just one other negotiating tactic, “at some point you have to play,” John Lynch said before practice Wednesday.
Who shall be called up as TE3? (@romanfour0)
The almost certainly option is Jake Tonges, a child from Los Gatos who has done well and made the initial 53-man roster because the only other tight end besides George Kittle. Eric Saubert re-signed on Wednesday and established himself because the No. 2 tight end. That's the likely three-man unit to switch recent versions of Kittle, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. Brayden Willis and Mason Pline lurk on the practice squad.
Has George Kittle's tremendous success (not to say his draft position) tainted any future TE signings/draftees in management's eyes? (@maestroRDW)
They will proceed to fish, as they do yearly, to search out a defensive end to enrich Bosa. What the 49ers need is a decent end who, like Kittle, could make the big leap from temperamental rookie to second-year All-Pro. Woerner and Dwelley never made that leap, nor did 2023 draft picks Willis and Cam Latu. Perhaps Pline is a diamond within the rough who can develop on the practice squad.
Who shall be the shooting star this season? And who shall be a disappointment? (@SFG_soccer)
Let's think beyond the growing success of cornerback Deommodore Lenior. The 49ers' last true stars at defensive tackle were Justin Smith a decade ago and DeForest Buckner five years ago. New addition Maliek Collins may very well be a steal this offseason after being acquired from Houston for a seventh-round pick. The disappointment of this season? All 53 players in the event that they don't win the Super Bowl.
Do you think that the team would slightly re-sign Ward or Lenoir? It obviously won't be possible to bring each back? (@BigShot_Mike)
Who knows what the 49ers are budgeting beyond Brock Purdy's second contract (and potentially the NFL's largest)? Ward received loads of praise last season to bolster his contract offer irrespective of how this season plays out. Lenoir's versatility for granted cornerback and within the slot should make him extremely attractive, and he will definitely attract more targets than Ward this season to set his market value. Lenoir ought to be cheaper, however the 49ers' budget could dictate that.
Why Brandon Allen and never the opposite child? (@vb_bassist)
Tanner Mordecai, the 24-year-old kid nearly two months older than Brock Purdy, gained enough admiration to return to the practice squad. Allen, the No. 3 quarterback last season behind Purdy and Sam Darnold, excelled enough in training camp and the preseason to remain on board. Whether Allen is QB2 or if Josh Dobbs swindled his way into that job, Shanahan hasn't said yet and will not achieve this until game day.
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