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stepped up to the podium yesterday for his scheduled media session, which was the first time since March that he was available to the media.
During the press conference, Williams expressed confidence in the San Francisco 49ers team around him, saying he believes that they are the "team to beat" this season.
"I feel comfortable in the team we have," Williams said. "I feel like when [we got] all the guys on the roster on the field, I feel like we the team to beat. So, it's the first time in my career I walked into a situation with that type of confidence."
Prior to last season, Williams had played nine years with Washington, never winning a playoff game. He missed the playoffs altogether last year as part of the injury-riddled 49ers that won only six games. So, it is understandable that this is the first situation in which he feels that level of confidence in his team.
Although it is training camp, a time when players are excited to return to football and have high hopes for their teams, Williams believes that the confidence he has in the 49ers is actually "real."
"I know that around this time, probably 32 out of 32 teams have that same type of confidence," he said. "And I feel like the coaching staff lines up with the culture and the players line up with what the coaching staff expects, and [I think] this is a year we can do special things."
That confidence and the culture around the 49ers were part of the reasons Williams chose to re-sign with San Francisco, leaving interest from Kansas City and other suitors on the table.
The 33-year-old left tackle signed a massive six-year, $138 million deal with the 49ers at the beginning of the offseason. However, the deal is essentially two separate deals, with the first being a three-year, $60 million deal with an opt-out option after the third year.
In addition, Williams was also excited about the addition of
Aaron Banks and the team's efforts to strengthen the offensive line for the 2021 season.
"I think [being able to move people] is the goal," Williams said. "And no matter whether you're running zone or whether you're running power, the goal of an offensive line is to be able to move people and create avenues for the ball carrier. I think [right tackle Mike McGlinchey] added weight... I think he looks great.
"Obviously, bringing Banks in is a chance to take a peek, add some depth into the room, and bring some competition out. I think he's an incredible player, so I'd love to see how he develops. [I think] we are a team that's athletic up front... Now, we got the guys with the stature to kind of [go straight forward and be physical] as well when we need to."
Williams noted that he slotted in now at 335 pounds, and is even stronger than before, which will better complement the quickness with which he plays the game.
With training camp starting Wednesday morning, tune in later today for coverage of the Day 1 highlights.
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