The San Francisco 49ers have a handful of tough calls to make with their roster this offseason. None of them involve Pro Football Focus’s “biggest roster decision” for San Francisco.
In a piece analyzing each team’s biggest roster decision, PFF glosses over their tough call with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a tricky situation with restricted free agent running back Jordan Mason, and quarterback Brock Purdy’s contract to instead highlight Trent Williams’ future.
Via PFF:
The 49ers are already in the midst of a chaotic offseason, which features a potential Deebo Samuel trade and a likely Brock Purdy extension. However, the most overarching question might just be about whether Williams will play in 2025.
The 36-year-old was fantastic yet again, even in a shortened 2024 season. Williams notched PFF pass- and run-blocking grades above 81.4, permitting only one sack on 381 pass-blocking snaps. At the same time, Williams didn’t play after Week 11 due to an ankle injury, and retirement very much appears to be on the table.
Whether or not Williams suits up next season, general manager John Lynch will likely look to land a potential starter down the line at left tackle. But if Williams retires, that would make left tackle arguably the 49ers’ biggest need, trumping cornerback, edge defender and linebacker, as the team would need an instant starter to protect Purdy’s blindside.
Indications from general manager John Lynch on Williams’s future have been clear. He said at his end-of-season presser that Williams would return in 2025.
“No. Trent’s doing well,” Lynch said when asked about uncertainty on Williams’ future. “He had a bruise in the ankle joint and it probably took a little longer than anyone anticipated, but sometimes that happens. And the good news is, it’s taken a positive turn. Trent’s mindset is where it always is and he’s still very interested in being a great player that he is. And I think he’s still got a lot left in the tank. So, Trent’s committed as ever and we love having Trent Williams a part of us.”
That would seem to rule out any question about Williams’s outlook.
Perhaps PFF knows something about the soon-to-be 37-year-old waffling on playing in 2025. If he does decide to hang up his pads, the decision is a no-brainer on finding a new left tackle early in the draft. San Francisco may head that direction anyway in anticipation of a future without Williams.
The real biggest decision is on Purdy’s contract. They’re publicly committed to paying him, but the dollars are going to be fascinating since a huge QB contract will hinder some of their ability to build around Purdy.
How they operate in those negotiations and where Purdy’s contract lands will play a huge role in determining both the short and long-term fate of the 49ers.