San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams is just a week away from potentially becoming a free agent. Ideally, he hopes that doesn't happen, though. He would like to stay with the Niners, which traded for him last offseason during the draft. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers would like to keep him on the roster. Fans would like to see Williams stay too. The veteran offensive lineman has quickly become a fan- and media-favorite.
Williams joined teammate Richard Sherman, also scheduled to become a free agent, on The Cris Collinsworth Podcast this week. Sherman predicts that Williams stays put in 2021.
"I've got him staying in San Francisco for The Faithful," Sherman said. "I think he stays in San Francisco. I think he makes you guys happy for another five (or) six years, and gets his gold jacket, and decides whether he wants it in Washington or San Francisco."
Of course, players don't get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame associated with one specific team. They are inducted as players and associated with every team with which they played during their pro career.
As for Sherman's prediction, Williams didn't sound like he has a problem with it.
"That's not a bad take, fellas," the eight-time Pro Bowl tackle responded. "That's not a bad take. You all are barking up the right tree."
What about Sherman, who is almost certainly not returning to the 49ers? What landing spot does Williams predict for his defensive teammate?
"I ain't gonna lie, man. Rich is one of my favorite teammates I ever had," Williams said. "... I know any locker room that's going to get him is going to be blessed. I would like to stay in the locker room with him because I know what he adds to a team.
"I think it's going to be a win-now team, which I feel like we was on a win-now team. Rich, he's so smart. He can do anywhere. He can fit in any locker room. He can blend in with any crowd. So, I don't really see any limitations with him."
Williams hesitated to name potential landing spots but eventually threw out some options.
"I'm still holding out hope that he's going to be back in whatever locker room I'm in," Williams said. "... I can see [the Kansas City Chiefs], going in there and helping that defensive backfield. ... I'd like to see him somewhere where it's nice weather, get a good paycheck, the taxes ain't beating him down.
"[The Las Vegas Raiders] sounds like a good team. I think the Indianapolis Colts. The AFC, there's a lot of good places over there. As long as he doesn't end up back in Seattle. ... I definitely don't want to see him twice a year, if I was in San Francisco."
You can listen to the entire interview below.