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The San Francisco 49ers continue to struggle to get something done with left tackle Trent Williams' contract and it's a situation the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Kansas City Chiefs should all be keeping an eye on.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers are not exercising the $10 million option on Williams' contract, ballooning his 2026 cap hit to $47 million.
The decision also leaves Williams with no more guaranteed money or years left on his contract, putting him in line to be a free agent in 2027.
ESPN's Nick Wagoner added that reaching an agreement on a new deal with the All-Pro left tackle has proven to be difficult, although the sense is something should get done at some point before the draft in April.
"Williams and the Niners have struggled to find common ground on a contract despite negotiating for much of the offseason. Williams is slated to enter the 2026 season with no guaranteed money or years left on his deal beyond 2026. Before Friday, his salary cap number was slated to be $38.84 million, including a base salary of $22.21 million." Wagoner reported.
Wagoner goes on to add that general manager John Lynch remains optimistic about working something out and the team has not looked to trade Williams.
However, as we know, things can change on a dime in the NFL and nobody should be completely shutting the door on a trade if things continue to be a struggle, something Schefter has even said when reporting on the situation.
If Williams does hit the trade block, he would draw a ton of interest because, even at the age of 38, he remains an elite left tackle.
Steelers, Bears and Chiefs could have interest
We mention these three teams because all three could use help at left tackle.
The Steelers are set to have Broderick Jones on the left side once again in 2026, but he has been anything but reliable during his disappointing career. Adding to that, Jones is recovering from a neck injury that required fusion surgery.
In Kansas City, the Chiefs cut Jawaan Taylor, which figures to leave them with a starting duo of Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons.
But they may not be keen on that duo, especially if Williams becomes available. In fact, it has been reported by Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom that Kansas City would be "at the front of the line" to acquire Williams if he's on the block.
"The Kansas City Chiefs, we continue to hear, would be at the front of the line to try to secure [Williams'] services," La Canfora wrote.
As for the Bears, their issue at left tackle stems from the torn patellar tendon Ozzy Trapilo suffered during the playoffs that leaves his status for the entire 2026 campaign up in the air.
At the very least, he won't be ready early in the season, which puts Braxton Jones in line to start.
With the Bears having Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, it's not crazy to think Chicago wouldn't mind bringing in a future Hall of Famer to protect Caleb Williams' blindside.
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