The week of the NFL mix is when information begins to select up once more. It proves the NFL has no actual offseason, and the closest factor to it’s the two weeks between the Tremendous Bowl and mix week.
One of many largest items of stories was Tuesday’s report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Trent Williams and the 49ers try to resolve their contract variations. Williams is about to rely almost $39 million towards the cap in 2026, the Sixteenth-highest determine within the NFL and the fourth-highest amongst non-quarterbacks, solely behind Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones, 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa and Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson.
The 49ers need Williams to return, and the participant’s illustration and the staff stay involved. GM John Lynch stated Tuesday, “I believe we’re heading in the right direction.” Nonetheless, it is no assure.
Williams is 37 and getting into the ultimate yr of a three-year, $82.6 million deal he renegotiated forward of the 2024 season. He stays one of many NFL’s premier offensive linemen, making his twelfth Professional Bowl and fifth All-Professional staff final yr. Professional Soccer Focus graded him because the No. 3 deal with within the NFL. He’s integral to every part the 49ers do.
If he have been to go away, he’d have ample suitors eagerly awaiting. Williams would have his choose, too. He’d be a free agent, and at this stage in his profession, all that is lacking amongst his many accolades is a Tremendous Bowl ring. With that in thoughts, listed here are 5 spots he may land if he does certainly go away San Francisco.
Inexperienced Bay Packers
The Packers are set to let beginning left Rasheed Walker go away in free company. A former seventh-round choose, Walker has risen to develop into a stable if unspectacular left deal with, and he has not missed a sport the final three seasons. He is in for a major payday in a number of weeks’ time.
Williams would symbolize an incredible win-now improve for a win-now operation. The Packers have been among the many league’s youngest groups for a number of years, and whereas that core has emerged to type a contender, it is nonetheless lacking a number of true stars. Williams can be one. Final yr, Walker was PFF’s No. 53 deal with, and he dedicated 9 penalties; Williams, once more, was the No. 3 deal with, and he dedicated simply 4 penalties.
Chicago Bears
Going from one NFC North staff to a different, the Bears have already proven a willingness to take large swings on their offensive line. Final offseason — their first below Ben Johnson — Chicago traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signed middle Drew Dalman. Proper deal with Darnell Wright has continued to enhance.
That leaves left deal with, the place Braxton Jones entered the season because the starter however obtained damage and was then benched and appeared in solely six video games. Ozzy Trapilo ruptured his patellar tendon within the playoffs and will possible miss many of the yr. Johnson confirmed final yr he is not afraid to make daring strikes to improve Caleb Williams‘ environment.
Dallas Cowboys
Sure, the Cowboys being on this checklist is nearly a given contemplating their propensity for being within the information, and, sure, they’ve large monetary hurdles to beat. However with loads of restructuring alternatives forward — most notably Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb — they may work their method out of the monetary gap they’re at the moment in.
Now for the match. Left deal with Tyler Guyton, a 2024 first-round choose, struggled mightily in 2025 and has not impressed a ton of confidence by way of two seasons. Proper deal with Terence Steele is a minimize candidate. Add in that Williams is from Texas and, once more, that the Cowboys are the Cowboys, and Dallas has to at the least be on the radar, regardless of how unlikely it could appear.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers present no indicators of getting into a rebuild, despite the fact that Mike Tomlin resigned this offseason and the staff’s beginning quarterback if the season began at this time can be Mason Rudolph or Will Howard. Ought to Aaron Rodgers return and reunite with Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh would once more appear to be a fairly high-floor, low-ceiling outfit.
Williams may elevate that ceiling. He is nonetheless an excellent mover in area, one thing that will serve Pittsburgh properly given Rodgers’ propensity to get the ball out shortly to working backs and tight ends. Pittsburgh’s present left deal with, 2023 first-round choose Broderick Jones, missed six video games final yr and has been inconsistent when on the sphere.
Wild card: New England Patriots
“He is 22 years outdated. He is our left deal with,” Mike Vrabel stated of Will Campbell within the aftermath of the rookie’s troublesome postseason. “He’ll get higher and get stronger. Moments the place he performed properly … there’s performs he’d wish to have again, however we’re not shifting Will to middle or guard or tight finish or anyplace else.”
Certainly, Campbell’s struggles have been on full show, particularly within the Tremendous Bowl. However he was additionally enjoying at lower than 100% after midseason knee surgical procedure. The No. 4 general choose lower than a yr in the past, Campbell performed at a really stable stage previous to the harm. One unhealthy postseason — as a rookie coming off an harm, no much less — doesn’t suggest he is doomed.
However, Vrabel’s feedback got here earlier than a participant like Williams was probably obtainable. New England has loads to do to make sure it isn’t a one-and-done Tremendous Bowl contender, and upgrading different elements of the offense is excessive up on that checklist. However New England has the funds to go big-game searching, and Williams is a large expertise at a vital place.
