The San Francisco 49ers need all hands on deck if they want to make a return to the Super Bowl. They didn’t suffer too many key losses in free agency during the offseason, but they have had to deal with headaches from some of their own players.
Primarily, two of the best players on the team – wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams – came into the summer dead-set on holding out until they got big contract extensions. The front office finally succumbed to Aiyuk’s wishes last week.
On Tuesday, the team also came to an agreement with Williams, less than a week before the 2024 regular season begins.
Eleven-time Pro-Bowl OT Trent Williams and the 49ers are finalizing a reworked deal to get the left tackle back to the team and to give him a chance to play Monday night’s opener vs. the New York Jets, per his agency @eliteloyaltysp
First Brandon Aiyuk, now Williams. pic.twitter.com/F1zYVpQBRd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 3, 2024
Although Aiyuk is incredibly important for the team, perhaps no other player has more of an impact on the team’s success than Williams. The 36-year-old has been a First-Team All-Pro in each of the past three seasons. He protects quarterback Brock Purdy and paves gaping holes for running back Christian McCaffrey.
Ricky Pearsall out for the first four weeks of season
This Williams news comes just a day after the Niners had to shut down rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for the first four games of the season. The first round rookie was shockingly shot in an attempted robbery over the weekend and needs time to recover.
With Aiyuk and Williams locked up, the 49ers can somewhat start their season comfortably. But it could take both of them some time to re-acclimate, and it will take Pearsall time to get back in shape and recover mentally from what has transpired.
source.marca.com
