Trent Williams reportedly wants to at least dip his toes in the free-agency waters in the coming days to see what he is worth. It's not often that a premiere left tackle hits the open market. The San Francisco 49ers would like to keep him in the Bay Area and have reportedly made a strong push to do so. Now, it's just a matter of waiting to see what Williams decides to do.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes Williams stays put with the team that traded for him last year, allowing him to escape a less ideal situation with the Washington Football Team and reunite with Kyle Shanahan. There won't be a hometown discount, though. It will cost the 49ers to keep the anchor along the offensive line.
"I think he'll stay in San Francisco," wrote Breer in his MMQB column. "But I don't think the Niners will get it done without paying more than they probably figured they'd have to when they traded for him during last year's draft, and, accordingly, I've heard they're willing to go to $20 million per year to keep him."
There will be suitors. Breer expects the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs to be contenders to acquire the eight-time Pro Bowler. Williams' stock is boosted by his performance in 2020 after a year off from football. It was one of the best campaigns of his career.
"I talked to a couple of guys over the weekend who studied Williams ahead of free agency," said Breer, "and were legit wowed by how spotless his tape was. In 2020, at 32, he maintained a level mirroring his prime in Washington, a prime during which he was one of the two or three best offensive linemen in the NFL."
Williams has indicated that staying in San Francisco is his preference, but curiosity has him willing to wait and see what happens.
"It's been 11 years in the league," Williams told reporters in January. "I have yet to see a franchise left tackle go to the open market. I think it would be interesting to kind of see what the value holds. Regardless, like I said, I've always maintained the same thing. I think San Francisco is my number one destination, and we'll see how things work out."
