Trent Williams wasn't part of the roster during last season's run. The 49ers acquired the tackle in April via a trade with Washington, hoping he could replace veteran Joe Staley and help the team reach its goal.
While an insurmountable number of injuries derailed San Francisco's season, Williams sounds confident that the team isn't far off from once again contending for a championship. The tackle believes staying healthy will be the key to a bounce-back campaign in 2021.
"I honestly think if we had the same team that we opened up camp with, and obviously getting Deebo [Samuel] back, I honestly think that we would be fighting for the number one seed right now," Williams told reporters on Thursday. "I think the proof is in the pudding. They did it last year, so it's not like I'm just reaching for something out of thin air.
"I definitely think that's our potential, and that's where we should have been if we wasn't so banged up."
RELATED
Williams is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. The 49ers want him back, and the offensive lineman has expressed a desire to return. Williams will be 33 years old at the start of next season. Has he thought about how many more seasons he has ahead of him?
"A few years ago, I would have told you maybe I wanted to be the one to walk out," Williams said. "I don't want to be pushed out the door. Obviously, I would want to leave on top. But now, after going through what I went through, taking a year off from football, and thinking that my career was already over, now I feel like they might have to scrape me off the field.
"I might be 40 trying to get down in a stance. Somebody's going to have to tell me. I'm going to need some good friends because, at this point, I'm thinking they'll probably have to scrape me off the field."
Williams made it clear that he's at the place in his career where he doesn't want to go to a team that is looking to rebuild. That's another reason why he likes the idea of returning to the 49ers. Williams feels that with better luck on the injury front, San Francisco is set to compete immediately.
"I definitely don't want to be part of a rebuilding process," Williams said. "I'm a little too long in the tooth for that. So yeah, I think that would be a very important thing to me. And obviously, I'd put our healthy roster up against anybody's roster. That's how I look at it."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Trent Williams sends a clear message about his NFL future
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams will be 38 years old at the start of the 2026 NFL season, a milestone that naturally raises questions about his long-term future. However, the future Hall of Famer has made it clear that retirement is not imminent. Williams... -
49ers QB Brock Purdy '100 percent' confident team can win Super Bowl next season
Despite his team looking like anything other than a Super Bowl contender in their 41-6 Divisional Round playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy seems extremely high on his team's chances as they head into 2026. Purdy... -
49ers Notebook: Purdy reflects on tough season; Jennings talks future; Kittle, Warner, and Williams recovery timelines
Monday marked the final opportunity for reporters to speak with San Francisco 49ers players at the team's facilities until the offseason program begins. The 49ers' injury-plagued 2025 season came to a disappointing end over the weekend with a playoff loss to division rival... -
49ers select Trent Williams 'heir apparent' in Mel Kiper's debut NFL mock draft
Longtime ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his debut mock draft, and he has the San Francisco 49ers following a familiar path. With the No. 27 overall pick, Kiper projects head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch to select Utah offensive tackle Caleb...