Fresh off a regular season in which Trent Williams—the highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL—put up the highest single-season PFF grade ever, and made the NFL's All-Pro team, it's obvious the San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle is playing the best football of his career, which is impressive because the 11-year veteran has always been an elite offensive lineman throughout his career, making nine Pro Bowl teams.
However, from the time he joined the 49ers, Williams has taken on a larger role than just being a star left tackle. During his time with the Washington Football Team, Williams was tagged as an independent player who didn't demonstrate many leadership qualities, which may have led to his eventual unstable departure after the 2019 NFL season. Now, Williams has become a staple of the Niners' offense and a leader the team can turn to.
"I've been around for a long time and a ton of these guys on the team [have] been watching me play since they were in middle school or you know high school, so I think my role is just that kind of that emotional guy that has pretty been through everything in the NFL," Williams told Rich Eisen on the Rich Eisen Show.
"I feel like I can relate to every player in the locker room at some level. Whatever level they are or whatever phase they are in their career I feel like I can relate to them and that's just how I try to motivate them, by relating to the guys and just helping through everything. Again also I'm trying to lead by example and what I put into the game every day," Williams continued.
Another player on the 49ers that is having the best season of his career is third-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel. When asked about the physicality that the newly-minted All-Pro plays with, Williams praised his teammate.
"Deebo is special. He's not like any player I've ever seen," Williams said. "When I first saw Deebo last year when I was watching film from the previous year, I told him that I felt like he was one of the best people I've ever seen with the football.
"I've never seen a guy with that versatility other than Percy Harvin. He [Deebo] was one of the better guys I've ever seen in person and I think this year he just blew it out the water. We are very very blessed and lucky to have him on our team."
Part of Deebo's success this year is the coaching staff manufacturing touches for the star in order to get the ball in his hands as much as possible. Williams gives head coach Kyle Shanahan the credit for these schemes.
"Kyle being such a genius as an offensive-minded coach marries up perfectly with one of the unicorn weapons that we have in Deebo," the offensive lineman said.
Finally, Williams also confirmed the legendary story claiming that Deebo Samuel asked Shanahan to "give him the ball" just before scoring against the Cowboys.
"Exactly how it went. That's Deebo man, he's a competitor like no other," Williams added.
Fred Warner believes Deebo Samuel 'loves the team' but Pelissero says 49ers, WR remain in 'standoff'
By David Bonilla
May 13
San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner spoke with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero following the NFL's schedule release yesterday. The Pro Bowl and All-Pro defender was asked about his disgruntled teammate, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who requested a trade this offseason.
Samuel is eligible for a contract extension, but there have been no updates on that front. And the 49ers didn't grant his wish for a trade either.
Warner told Pelissero that 49ers teammates, like quarterback Trey Lance and tight end George Kittle, have been in contact with Samuel since the trade request became public last month.
Pelissero pressed Warner to reveal his level of confidence that Samuel is playing for the 49ers come Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
"I
George Kittle spoke with Deebo Samuel, says 49ers WR is 'in a good place'
By David Bonilla
May 20
The drama surrounding Deebo Samuel has died down a bit. Much of that is due to the San Francisco 49ers not granting his trade request ahead of the draft. By not doing so, the team declared that they believe the relationship with their do-everything wideout can be mended.
George Kittle has been making the media rounds today. Of course, among the questions directed toward the All-Pro tight end involves the status of Samuel. After all, it's a storyline that dominated NFL headlines heading into the draft.
"I actually talked to him a few days ago," Kittle said on The Pat McAfee Show. "Yeah, he seemed like he was in a good mood. He was hanging out with his kid, who he just had. ... I didn't ask about his contract, so we were just talking about other things,
No shocker: Deebo Samuel won't attend as 49ers start OTAs
By David Bonilla
May 23
The San Francisco 49ers kick off organized team activities (OTAs) today. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo won't be there. He is still recovering from the March 8 surgery that stalled the team's ability to trade him. However, most expect Garoppolo to be off the roster by Week 1.
Another noticeable absence will be that of wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Ian Rapoport confirmed that on Monday. Of course, that news shouldn't surprise anyone.
The #49ers begin OTAs today and star WR Deebo Samuel won't be in attendance, source said. Not a
Rapoport on the Deebo Samuel, 49ers situation: 'I think they can get it settled'
By David Bonilla
May 23
On Monday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel would not attend the team's organized team activities, which start today. The wideout showing up would have gone a long way in the team's efforts to mend its relationship with the do-it-all star player, even if Samuel didn't participate in on-field activities. At least, that is what Rapoport expressed during a Monday interview on The Pat McAfee Show.
That doesn't mean Rapoport feels that situation is impossible to resolve. In fact, the NFL insider feels Samuel does eventually return to the 49ers, which wasn't a certainty in April when news broke that the wideout had
