Niners LT Trent Williams holding out of training camp due to contractual reasons

Brock Purdy‘s blindside protector wants some extra security of his own.

Niners left tackle Trent Williams is currently holding out from training camp and did not practice Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, who told reporters that Williams’ absence is contract-related.

“It’s something I knew could be a possibility, and I was hoping that he would be here,” Shanahan said in his news conference. “But I knew it could be a possibility, and I feel pretty confident that it will all work out in the long run and he’ll be here, and we’ll get on the same page with everything. It’s just one day of practice, and I think Trent will be alright missing a few practices.”

Williams, 36 as of five days ago, still has three years remaining on a contract that currently places him as the league’s third-highest-paid LT by yearly average salary, but the last of his guaranteed salary was paid out in 2022.

He’s set to make $20.1 million in base salary in 2024, $22.5 million in 2025 and $32.2 million in 2026.

A Pro Bowler in 11 straight seasons and a first-team All-Pro the past three, Williams is firmly among the league’s elite offensive linemen. For good reason, Shanahan isn’t worried about the grizzled veteran missing some time as he seeks a new or altered contract.

However, prolonged negotiations such as these are starting to stack up for a team so close and yet thus far unable to break through for a Super Bowl. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel had to wait until the final day of July in 2022 to get an extension that loomed over San Francisco for the entirety of that summer, and in 2023 pass rusher Nick Bosa held out into September for his deal.

Now, as Williams stages his holdout, WR Brandon Aiyuk reported to camp and is holding in after requesting a trade in the wake of a noisy offseason.

Asked his preference to players holding in or holding out, Shanahan provided none.

“Same difference,” he said. “[Holding in is] better for them I think, too, that at least they can be around here, meetings and stuff like that, so hopefully when do things do work out they’re still used to some things. They’re not that far behind.”

Regardless of how Williams or Aiyuk go about getting their money, the hope from all parties is coming to an agreement.

After that, the 49ers can start catching everyone up and trying to leave others behind in their defense of an NFC Championship.

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