Kyle Shanahan: Trent Williams, 49ers ‘Negotiating Hard’ on New Contract amid Holdout

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 22, 2024

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a very small update on contract negotiations star offensive tackle Trent Williams—who has been holding out this summer—and the team on Wednesday.

“I’ve had some contact with him,” he told KNBR. “Been good talking to him. We’re negotiating hard. Hopefully it’s getting close.”

Shanahan added that there were “no new updates” on wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has been holding in as he seeks either a contract extension or trade.

“Sorry to keep being boring about that,” the head coach added. “Wish I was saying something different, nothing has changed.”

The Williams situation, on the other hand, appears to be making real headway. On Tuesday, his former teammate, DeSean Jackson, suggested that an agreement between the Niners and Williams was close.

“They’re working on something, man,” he said on FS1’s Speak. “I think [the 49ers] are going to make it right for my boy to come in there, man. He might be showing up a little late. He’s got some fines and some fees he might have to take care of, but he’s going to be there, man. So 49ers fans, it’s gong to be all right. So y’all take it easy, but honestly, he’ll be there shortly.”

Speak @SpeakOnFS1.@DeSeanJackson10 has some information for 49ers’ fans… 👀 pic.twitter.com/kqEWPL7P7t

Williams has been accruing $50,000 in fines per day and about $1.1 million per practice missed. That’s no small chunk of change, with the belief that he’s seeking more guaranteed money on his contract.

Spotrac @spotrac36-year-old OT Trent Williams has 3 years, $77.25M left on his contract with the #49ers, however the early/full guarantees on the deal expired in 2024.

Cash Flow
2024: $20.9M
2025: $23.3M
2026: $33M

Williams remains away from the team as he seeks a stronger 2024 payday +…

Given that he’s 36-years-old and the Niners could choose to release him either before the 2025 or 2026 seasons—albeit with a dead cap charge of $19.1 million ahead of the 2025 season or $8.3 million ahead of the 2026 campaign—it makes sense that Williams might want to give himself a bit more security by converting some of his base salary into guaranteed dollars.