NFC West Notes: Trent Williams, 49ers, Rams

Trent Williams

One of the reported reasons it took the Redskins so long to trade LT Trent Williams this offseason was the rumored size of Williams’ contract demands. Williams is set to make a base salary of $12.5 million in 2020, which was well below the top of the market even before the Texans gave Laremy Tunsil $22 million a year. However, after being traded to the 49ers it appears that Williams is willing to wait a little bit longer for what he believes he’s worth. 

“Trent has been out of football for a year and a half, and Trent made it clear to everyone he wants to come back and didn’t want to do a deal right away,” 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “He wanted to play and try to get back into it and see where he was at with the rest of the league and pick up where he left off. That’s one of the reasons we were able to get him and get him for what we did. I think it really helped us in the situation we were in.”

Williams said he is grateful to finally have his trade request fulfilled by the Redskins. 

“I’m thankful this is over. Thanks to Dan and the organization for all they’ve done for me. Still a lot of love for the fans and that locker room. Now I’m focusing on being the best player I can possibly be for the 49ers,” said Williams, via Ian Rapoport.

• According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Williams has considered “two options” with the one-year, $12.5 million remaining on his contract, which is an extension or reworking the remaining year to include incentives that would make him “among the highest-paid” tackles in the league. 

49ers

• Per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, the 49ers maintain they’re excited about 2019 third-round WR Jalen Hurd but GM John Lynch acknowledged they had to add to the position after just seeing Hurd for two weeks before he was hurt: “The 14 days that we’ve seen him were lights out. The problem is that we’ve only seen him for 14 days. Jalen knows full well that he needs to work his tail off so that he can get back and … try to earn opportunities to be a contributor for our team moving forward.”
• If San Francisco can’t sign Williams to a long-term deal, Shanahan mentioned Shon Coleman, Daniel Brunskill, Justin Skule and 2020 fifth-round OL Colton McKivitz as some long-term options. 
• 49ers undrafted RB Salvon Ahmed received $50,000 guaranteed, $10,000 in a signing bonus and $40,000 of his base salary. (Aaron Wilson)
• 49ers undrafted WR Chris Finke received $95,000 guaranteed, $15,000 in a signing bonus and $80,000 of his base salary. (Aaron Wilson)
• 49ers undrafted RB JaMycal Hasty received $90,000 guaranteed, $15,000 in a signing bonus and $75,000 of his base salary. 

Rams

• The Rams had an interest in trading for LT Trent Williams and moving him to guard. While Los Angeles made the Redskins an offer, Washington opted to send him to their divisional rival.
• Rams HC Sean McVay told Omar Ruiz of NFL Network of the missed trade opportunity: “Thanks for reminding me. “I need to go drink a couple of more beers.”