49ers Face Brutal Cap Reality as Trent Williams Contract Standoff Heats Up
The San Francisco 49ers are caught between a rock and a hard place with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. They can't afford to lose him, but they sure as hell can't afford to pay him either.
Welcome to salary cap hell, folks.
ESPN's Adam Schefter dropped the hammer Tuesday, reporting that releasing Williams is actually on the table. The five-time All-Pro is set to carry a staggering $39 million cap hit this season, and the two sides are struggling to find middle ground.
"If the two sides can't bridge their differences in their standoff, Williams would be expected to join this year's free-agent class, making him one of the premier players available," Schefter reported.
Draft Day Backup Plan
Smart teams prepare for every scenario, and the 49ers are eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft as their insurance policy. Several tackle prospects have tumbled toward the back of Round 1, creating opportunity for savvy franchises.
Alabama's Kadyn Proctor tops the list at 360 pounds. Questions exist about his athleticism translating to the pros, but his SEC battle-tested resume speaks volumes. Meanwhile, Utah's Caleb Lomu offers a more natural fit for Kyle Shanahan's zone scheme, though he needs work as a run blocker.
Don't sleep on Monroe Freeling either. This kid could shoot up draft boards once athletic testing numbers hit the street.
Domino Effect in the NFC West
Here's where it gets interesting. The Los Angeles Rams are also hunting for tackle help after Rob Havenstein's retirement. The 49ers pick before LA's second first-round selection, potentially stealing their preferred prospect right from under their noses.
That's how you play chess, not checkers.
Losing Williams wouldn't just hurt San Francisco's offensive line. It could force a complete strategic overhaul, emphasizing other positions like receiver or defensive playmakers to compensate for the regression up front.
Bottom Line
Williams is 37 years old but still playing like he's in his prime. The man is a difference-maker who belongs in Canton when his career ends. Smart money says the 49ers find a way to keep their franchise cornerstone, even if it means creative accounting.
But if they can't make the numbers work, picking 27th overall suddenly becomes a lot more important. No pressure, right?
In the NFL, you either pay now or pay later. The 49ers are about to find out which bill comes due first.