Head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he is preparing the San Francisco 49ers to take the field against the New York Jets in their Week 1 matchup at Levi's Stadium without two of their offensive stars—Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk. Shanahan has to plan for the worst-case scenario, given the lack of progress in contract negotiations with both players.
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Aiyuk continues to hold out from practice despite hope that he might have been on the field for Wednesday's session as the 49ers began preparations for their opener. Meanwhile, Williams isn't even with the team. He is holding out for a restructured deal that includes more guaranteed money and likely one that would elevate him among the highest-paid offensive linemen.
With little urgency on Williams' side, ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests that the All-Pro tackle could miss regular-season games over his contract dispute.
"Williams is determined not to play on his current contract, and so far, there doesn't seem to have been much, if any, progress on adjusting it to his satisfaction," Graziano wrote in a feature for ESPN. "The 49ers open their season in 11 days, and Williams is 36 years old and hasn't been to camp. Even if the two sides get this figured out this weekend, it might be too much to ask him to be ready in time to face the Jets on Monday night in Week 1. And if they don't get it worked out in the next couple of days, the holdout could last beyond Week 1."
When asked if Williams, who has already paved the way to a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection, has threatened retirement during negotiations, general manager John Lynch responded, "I'm not getting into that. I've always said that personal conversations and things like that aren't ever going to be shared."
While that's not an admission, it's not a denial either. These negotiations have been challenging for the 49ers, and the relentless questions surrounding them must have taken a toll.
There is a sense of urgency on the 49ers' side. Williams isn't just the team's best offensive lineman; the talent drop-off behind him—and at every other spot along the offensive front—is significant. Williams elevates the entire unit, which is crucial when you have a rising star like 24-year-old quarterback Brock Purdy behind center.
"Williams remains the best in the league at what he does, and he seems to be counting on the idea that the Niners aren't the same team without him," Graziano continued. "Williams missed three games last season; the Niners lost all three of them and scored exactly 17 points in each. They scored at least 27 points in every other game they played last regular season, except the Christmas night loss to Baltimore and the Week 18 loss to the Rams, in which they played their backups. The Jets' defensive front could have a fun opener if Williams isn't on the field."