The 49ers could fire Trent Williams if contract negotiations fail, according to ESPN

Left tackle Trent Williams, a 12-time Pro Bowler, may be running out of time with the 49ers.

Williams is scheduled to count $39 million against the 49ers’ salary in 2026, the final season of the three-year deal he agreed to just before the 2024 season after training camp was held.

The 49ers are also “dealing” with Williams and he could be a free agent in two weeks if no decision is made, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

General manager John Lynch is expected to speak to reporters Tuesday at 2:30 pm PT from the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Williams is due a $10 million bonus on April 1 and a $22 million salary this coming season, according to Spotrac.com.

If they are released, the 49ers will generate $34 million in dead money against the cap but thus save about $5 million in it. Or, as Spotrac.com noted, the 49ers could drop his salary below $1.3 million and designate him off waivers on June 1, thereby pushing his cap hit to $13.3 million in 2026 and $20.8 million in 2027.

After the 49ers’ 41-6 playoff loss to Seattle, Williams praised both the 49ers’ season against all odds and their future. He also said that it is “accurate” to say that there is no question that he will continue his work and will not retire.

“It was very special for me, because I’ve never been part of a team that was behind the 8-ball but I found a way to compete every week,” Williams said afterwards. “We faced a lot of teams that were full when we played with the guys we got last week, two weeks ago. … I’m proud of this team. It didn’t go the way we wanted but the future is really bright.”

Two years ago, Williams completed another contract and reported five days before the start of the season, receiving a three-year, $82.66 million contract. “A guy at my level and my age, safety was important,” Williams said at the time.

Williams played in all but one game last season. He turns 38 on July 19.

“At my age, I know there aren’t many people who have played at the All-Pro level other than quarterback. I want to remove those barriers and show that this is a new era,” Williams said when he ends his participation in 2024. “The research we’ve done, how they’ve done it and how they’ve carved out our schedules to stay fresh and keep our bodies fit, allows you to play longer and I want to take advantage of that.”

If the 49ers move on from Williams, they have no heir apparent at left tackle, and although Colton McKivitz filled in for Williams a few years ago, McKivitz’s play at right tackle earned him a contract extension last year. Journeyman Austen Pleasants is a franchise free agent but doesn’t appear to be a game-ready starter.

Meanwhile, in the mix, here are some 49ers-related sounds:

Pursuing MAC JONES?

If the 49ers choose to trade Brock Purdy’s backup, Mac Jones, several teams have admitted they are in the market for a quarterback. The other is the Minnesota Vikings, and executive vice president Rob Brzezinki said, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert: “I don’t know if we’re deciding anything. …

ANOTHER GOING TO WASHINGTON?

A year after Washington general manager Adam Peters traded 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, he didn’t want to speculate that the Commanders could be a replacement for Brandon Aiyuk, who sat out last season for the 49ers and was placed on the team’s reserve/left tackle list in December. The 49ers voided Aiyuk’s 2026 ($27 million) guarantee last July and indicated that he is not expected to return, although they will still release him.

“Brandon Aiyuk is a player of another team that has a contract so I cannot comment on that,” said Peters. “… Love the person but I can’t really comment on the player.” Samuel, by the way, is scheduled to work for free in two weeks.

SALEH’S THANKSGIVING

Robert Saleh thanked the 49ers for a second time as their defensive coordinator on his way to becoming the coach of the Tennessee Titans. “San Francisco, it’s a championship organization, with championship ownership, a championship head coach, a champion GM, a champion everything. To go back there, to be a head coach, to go back and put together the puzzle of what a championship organization looks like and how it works, I’m just grateful to be given that opportunity to do that again and everything I’ve learned hopefully we can take it to the next step.”

Saleh took former 49ers assistant coach Gus Bradley with him to serve as the Titans’ defensive coordinator. “Gus is like a second father to me,” said Saleh. “He’s had a tremendous impact on my life and not to mention he’s one of the best D producers in all of football. Having him on staff, especially this cycle when there’s so much competition for his job, is a blessing to all of us.”