San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan understands that he may not have two of his most important offensive players on the field for Week 1.
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams are still not practicing as they wait for new contracts, and with the season opener quickly approaching, Shanahan is preparing to play with or without the two stars.
“I’m optimistic that things will work out with Trent,” Shanahan said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “I’m not sitting here knowing what day it will be. I mean, we’re getting close to playing a game. So, like, my mind is completely on preparing for a game without those guys. But I feel when two sides want to get a deal done, usually it happens.”
The 49ers are certainly an entirely different offense without Aiyuk and Williams. Aiyuk is their No. 1 receiver, and Williams may very well be their most important offensive player.
Shanahan seems to remain hopeful that San Francisco will resolve its differences with both guys, but the reality of the situation is that neither player is on track to play against the New York Jets on Sept. 9.
The San Francisco 49ers have to get something done with their two stars
Let’s be honest: the 49ers are not winning a Super Bowl—and probably not making any sort of deep playoff run—if both Aiyuk and Williams are absent.
San Francisco does not have a whole lot of depth at wide receiver behind Aiyuk. It’s Deebo Samuel and then a whole lot of unproven talent.
As far as Williams, he may very well be the best offensive tackle in football. If you remove him from the lineup, things may get very sticky for Brock Purdy under center. Plus, the 49ers’ running game will also take a massive hit, even though they have the league’s best running back in Christian McCaffrey.
San Francisco needs Aiyuk and Williams on the field, so you have to think the Niners will get something done with at least one of the two players before the start of the regular season.
Aiyuk’s contract drama with the San Francisco 49ers has been well-documented. He asked for a trade earlier this summer, but then, San Francisco apparently started making progress on a long-term deal with him. However, up until this point, nothing has been signed.
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