Trent Williams is expected to test the market rather than re-sign with the 49ers before the NFL legal negotiation period begins on March 15. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t plan on returning to San Francisco, though, and he hinted strongly at the Cris Collinsworth Podcast with Richard Sherman that he was looking forward to staying in the Bay Area.
He didn’t announce his return outright, but his reaction when Sherman made a prediction for Williams’s upcoming free shift gave some hope that the left-wing tackle would be back in San Francisco.
“I have San Francisco,” said Sherman. “I let him stay in San Francisco for the believers. I think he will stay in San Francisco. I think he makes you guys happy for another 5-6 years and gets his gold jacket, and then decides if he wants it in Washington or San Francisco. “
Williams’ response after host George Chahrouri and Sherman both made their prediction that Williams would return to the 49ers:
That’s not a bad opinion, guys. That’s not a bad opinion. You are all barking in the right tree. “
The 49ers took over Williams from Washington last year for a fifth round 2020 draft pick and a third round pick in the 2021 draft. He seemed to indicate he wanted to stay with the 49ers after the season, but also said he would explore the market to find out his worth in what could be the last big payday of his career for the 32-year-old .
It’s becoming Williams not to somehow make explanatory statements with free negotiation between agents around the corner, and a comment on a podcast is far from a binding commitment. However, the answer was good news for the 49ers for now. They may just have to wait until after Free Agency unofficially opens on March 15 to get a real answer about Williams’ future.