San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's dissatisfaction with his contract has been a prominent storyline throughout this offseason. Aiyuk made his displeasure clear on various social media platforms, expressing his frustration at different points. His discontent reached a peak when he decided to skip offseason workouts, incurring a hefty fine of $101,716 for missing the three-day mandatory minicamp from June 4-6. However, Aiyuk reported to the opening of training camp on July 23, adopting a strategy often termed "holding in”—attending camp but not fully participating due to contract issues.
Left tackle Trent Williams is embroiled in his own contract dispute, adding another layer of complexity to the 49ers' offseason. Unlike Aiyuk, Williams reported to the 49ers' mandatory minicamp but was notably absent from training camp. Williams, who signed a six-year, $138.06 million contract with the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent in March 2021, remains one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL. His contract, averaging $23.01 million per year, once set the benchmark for linemen's salaries.
Williams’ contract unrest comes amidst a flurry of lucrative deals for other top linemen. The Detroit Lions signed Penei Sewell to a four-year, $112 million extension in April, featuring $85 million in guarantees and $42.986 million fully guaranteed at signing. Additionally, Christian Darrisaw and Tristan Wirfs secured impressive extensions. Darrisaw's four-year, $104 million extension averages $26 million per year, while Wirfs' five-year, $140.625 million extension averages $28.125 million annually. These figures have undoubtedly influenced Williams' current stance, seeking to re-negotiate his deal despite being under contract through 2026.
Williams, now 36 years old, is slated to earn $77.31 million over the remaining years of his contract, with a scheduled income of $20.9 million this season on a cap hit of $31,568,542. His earnings will increase to $23.35 million in 2025 and $33.06 million in 2026. The stakes are high for both the player and the team, as Williams faces fines of $50,000 for each day missed at training camp and risks forfeiting one week's base salary (1/18th of his salary) for each preseason game skipped. The forfeited amount for each preseason game would be $1,113,889.
Additionally, the 49ers could recover up to 25% of the prorated amount of Williams' signing bonus if the holdout continues into the regular season. This potential financial setback underscores the severity of the situation for Williams, who previously experienced a contract dispute with the Washington Commanders in 2019. Williams withheld his services until October 30 that year due to contractual dissatisfaction and a medical dispute.
The 49ers have a history of complex contract negotiations, often incorporating signing and option bonuses. The situation involving Aiyuk and Williams is no different, marked by intricate negotiations and contentious disputes. Observers note that Williams is probably San Francisco's most indispensable offensive player, highlighting the urgency for the 49ers to resolve this matter swiftly. As training camp progresses, the team's management will need to navigate these choppy waters to ensure key players are ready and willing to contribute when the season kicks off.