The San Francisco 49ers just experienced the high drama of a “hold-in” and a “holdout.” While the hold-in has been successfully resolved with a new contract, the holdout remains a nagging thorn in the side, just a week shy of the start of the season.
Brandon Aiyuk, the “Hold-In” Hero
Receiver Brandon Aiyuk has finally inked his deal, marking an end to the hold-in saga. With one obstacle out of the way, the focus now shifts to getting the powerhouse tackle Trent Williams back in the fold.
The Trent Williams Enigma: Will He or Won’t He?
The clock is ticking, and as we approach Week 1, Williams is still absent. Coach Kyle Shanahan commented on August 21, saying, “Hopefully, it’s getting close.” Around the same time, Williams’ former Washington teammate, DeSean Jackson, hinted strongly that Williams could show up soon. Yet here we are, Williams remains elusive as August turns to September.
A Man of Principle and His Deadlock
It’s not every day you see players under contract ditching game checks, but Williams is built differently. He once sat out an entire season due to discord with Washington, proving he’s a man of his word. He stands like a monolith when he takes a stand.
This year, Williams is set to earn a whopping $20.05 million. Ranking sixth in new-money average among all tackles, he’s at $23 million. With three years left on his contract, he has no remaining guarantees. If he’s on the Week 1 active roster, his 2024 salary becomes essentially guaranteed due to CBA regulations for vested veterans. Should he be released at any point during the season, he’d be entitled to his full salary as termination pay.
More Than Just about 2024 Guarantees
This standoff is about more than just guaranteed money for next year; it’s also about the dollars and cents right now. And the 49ers haven’t ponied up enough.
The Aiyuk Deal and the Domino Effect
After securing Aiyuk’s new deal, many speculated that the 49ers would now shift focus to Williams. But let’s not kid ourselves, folks! The front office is perfectly capable of juggling multiple negotiations. They’ve been talking to Williams, but it seems they’re just not hitting the mark.
Without Williams, who do we have? 2021 fifth-rounder Jaylon Moore. Sure, he might hold his ground, but he’s no Trent Williams. If the 49ers hope to finally bag their sixth Super Bowl exactly 30 years after their last victory, they’ll need Williams, firm as an oak, anchoring that line.
The Stalwart Tackle and His Steadfast Resolve
Williams knows his value, and more importantly, he’s ready to stay away until he gets what he wants. If that means he doesn’t play at all this year, he’s prepared. He’s already shown he’s a man who can sit out a whole season if he has to.
So as we edge closer to Week 1, all eyes are on Trent Williams. Will the 49ers cough up what he’s worth, or will we miss out on watching one of the best tackles in the league take the field? Only time will tell, but stay tuned, folks. This standoff is the epitome of the phrase “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
