Brandon Aiyuk wasn’t the only notable player to miss practice for the 49ers, as star left tackle Trent Williams has also not taken the field during training camp.
The All-Pro offensive lineman is apparently looking to restructure his contract, as he has three years left on it but is due to make significantly more in 2026 than he will in 2024.
San Francisco general manager John Lynch spoke about Williams’ situation on KNBR’s “Murph and Marcus” on Friday.
“Trent’s been away from us, but the communication’s been good,” Lynch told Brian Murphy and Marcus Boucher. “Hopefully we can work things out and get Trent back here. We’re working hard to get that done. I know he wants to (be back here) and we want that too.”
Lynch did not say when Williams might return.
Williams, 36, appears to be looking for long-term stability in San Francisco, and the future Pro Football Hall of Famer knows the clock is ticking on his 13-year NFL career.
Williams has three years remaining on his current contract, which pays him an annual salary of $77.25 million, but the 11-time Pro Bowl selection is set to make $20.9 million for the 2024 NFL season, $23.3 million in 2025 and $33 million in 2026, according to Spotrac.
Signing Williams is a must for the 49ers, as San Francisco needs a superstar offensive tackle to make a Super Bowl run and Williams faces a $50,000 fine for each practice he misses.
Aiyuk, meanwhile, has been attending practices and watching the team in action from afar.
But of course he wants a new contract too.
The 49ers are enduring a frustrating offseason on the contract front, with stars clamoring for stability and San Francisco missing out on the repetition of team chemistry.
Either way, the clock is ticking with less than a month until the 49ers’ Week 1 matchup with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
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