John Lynch Shares Optimistic Update On 49ers' Contract Talks With Trent Williams

John Lynch shares optimistic update on 49ers' contract talks with Trent Williams originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

PHOENIX — General manager John Lynch believes the contractual standoff between the 49ers and Trent Williams is headed in the right direction. 

“We’ve had good communication throughout,” Lynch told local media while at the NFL Annual Meeting. “I would say in the last week, it’s kind of intensified. Feel like we are on the precipice of something good happening, but we’ll see. 

“Don’t want to make any statements like, ‘Hey, we are right there,’ because these things felt like that before, but I do feel like we are in good communication and hopeful.”  

Throughout the offseason, there have been rumors that the star left tackle could be traded to another franchise if a deal could not be procured, but Lynch shared that negotiations have not been tenuous with Williams’ representation. 

In fact, Lynch said, reports of conflict couldn’t be further from the truth. 

“This one never got ugly, it’s been been very straightforward, direct,” Lynch said. “I just think there’s a lot of nuance to that situation. He’s one of the great players, I think, to ever play the game, but there’s a reality with his age. 

“How do you thread that needle, how do you find a deal where everyone is taken care of and happy. I think there’s some special nuance to it that we’ve tried to work through, and both sides have been good with that.” 

Through Williams’ 16-year career, the 12-time Pro Bowler has appeared in 204 games — 203 as a starter. Originally the No. 4 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma product has dealt with a few injuries, but he has never played less than at least 10 games during any season he has played in. 

At the close of the 2025 season, Williams, who will turn 38 years old this summer, was adamant that he would be back playing football after anchoring the 49ers’ offensive line in 16 games. 

While in Los Angeles coaching at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, coach Kyle Shanahan was equally as positive as his general manager about Williams and the club coming to an agreement. 

“I know John and everyone is working hard to do that,” Shanahan said. “I believe we will get that done. We love Trent too much, and eventually that will work out.”

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