SANTA CLARA — As the 49ers Faithful gets increasingly impatient with Brandon Aiyuk’s contract stalemate and practice boycott, left tackle Trent Williams’ holdout is drawing a chorus of social-media outcry that is addressed in this week’s mailbag:
How confident are we Trent signs a new deal? (@andyz65c10)
Confidence level remains high, as are Trent Williams‘ contract demands. General manager John Lynch said Wednesday there has been “good communication” as they’re “throwing out ideas” toward an eventual breakthrough. Wiliams is only halfway through a six-year contract that made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman (by $10,000 a year back then but not now).
Three All-Pro commendations have followed in as many years, so it’s understandable if Williams, 36, wants to get “paid, paid.” When he signed in 2021 after testing free agency, the final year of that deal (2026) offered a $32.2 million salary that Kyle Shanahan encouraged Williams to pursue; that salary might be what he already commands. Nick Bosa’s contract holdout lasted until he signed a record deal a few days before last season’s opener, so why wouldn’t Williams want to do the same? Reminder: Sept. 9 is the opener against the New York Jets.
Will the O-line be their undoing this year? (@supanove)
Williams’ status could decide that more than how the other linemen play. Rookie Dominick Puni faces a challenging, Week 1 baptism as the starting right guard, where he’ll likely encounter Quinnen Williams as well as ex-49ers Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas. Left guard Aaron Banks is expected to resume practicing next Tuesday after recent pinky surgery. With center Jake Brendel and right tackle Colton McKivitz also returning, there is a familiarity aspect that benefits the offensive line perhaps more than any other unit. Williams is the unparalleled anchor, though, and his absence would sabotage the season,
If Aaron Banks isn’t ready for Week 1, would they give Burford a shot or let Zakelj get a shot since he got all the reps? (@zachudamann)
Banks is a gamer. It’s doubtful a casted pinky/hand would sideline him at the start of his contract year. As for the contingency plan, Nick Zakelj might get the nod if based on him practicing there since Banks’ exit. Another option is the more experienced Ben Bartch, who was re-signed on Wednesday. Spencer Burford barely has practiced in a month and he’s never been at left guard.
Is there any chance B.A. plays without a need contract? (@spoileralerts)
Wednesday’s absence from practice answers that question. After missing 20 practices since camp began, he was cleared physically from neck and back issues previously cited for his on-field boycotts. He remains under contract, albeit at a $14.1 million salary that is less than half the inflating market rate.
Who most likely gets a deal done this weekend? (@michael_budd)
Williams’ negotiations don’t seem as dire, publicly. But the 49ers have thrown down the gauntlet on Aiyuk by announcing he’s physically cleared to practice, and while that may be yet another negotiating tactic, “at some point you have to play,” John Lynch said before Wednesday’s practice.
Who will be called up as TE3? (@romanfour0)
The likeliest option is Jake Tonges, a local Los Gatos kid who made good and made the initial 53-man roster as the only other tight end beside George Kittle. Eric Saubert re-signed Wednesday and has established himself as the No. 2 tight end. That is the likely three-man unit, replacing recent versions of Kittle, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley. Lurking on the practice squad are Brayden Willis and Mason Pline.
Has the enormous success of George Kittle (never mind his draft position) spoiled all future TE signings/draftees in the eyes of the front office? (@maestroRDW)
They’ll keep fishing, just like they do annually for a defensive end to complement Bosa. What the 49ers need is a tight end to make the gigantic leap from feisty rookie to second-year All-Pro like Kittle did. Woerner and Dwelley never completed that leap, nor did 2023 draft picks Willis and Cam Latu. Perhaps Pline is a diamond in the rough who can develop on the practice squad.
Who is going to be the breakout star of this season? And who is going to be a disappointment? (@SFG_soccer)
Let’s think beyond cornerback Deommodore Lenior’s growing bandwagon. The 49ers’ last true stars at defensive tackle were Justin Smith a decade ago and DeForest Buckner five years ago. Newcomer Maliek Collins could be this offseason’s steal, having been acquired from Houston for a seventh-round pick. This season’s disappointment? All 53 players if they don’t win the Super Bowl.
Do you think the team prefers to re-sign Ward or Lenoir? Obviously won’t be able to bring back both? (@BigShot_Mike)
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Who knows what the 49ers are budgeting beyond Brock Purdy’s second contract (and possibly the NFL’s largest)? Ward earned big accolades last season to bolster his contract bid no matter how this season unfolds. Lenoir’s versatility to play right cornerback and in the slot should make him extremely appealing, and he’ll surely draw more targets than Ward this season to set his market rate. Lenoir should be more affordable but the 49ers’ budget could determine that.
Why Brandon Allen over the other kid? (@vb_bassist)
Tanner Mordecai, the 24-year-old kid who is almost two months older than Brock Purdy, did gain enough admiration to draw a practice squad return. Allen, last season’s No. 3 quarterback behind Purdy and Sam Darnold, distinguished himself well through camp and the preseason to stay aboard. Whether Allen is QB2 or if Josh Dobbs cajoled that job, Shanahan has not said and might not until game day.
