EXCLUSIVE
San Francisco 49ers make huge offensive move for Brock Purdy as NFC’s best try to get past Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs for Super Bowl trophy
Trent Williams is heading back to San Francisco.
That's a huge move for quarterback Brock Purdy, who has the most affordable contract in the NFL.
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According to multiple reports, Williams returned to California on Tuesday in the hope of finalizing a deal that would allow him to play in the 49ers' season opener against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Previously, Williams had been holding out as San Francisco prepared for the start of the 2024 campaign.
Brandon Aiyuk's contract stalemate dominated NFL headlines during training camp.
But the 6ft 5in Williams is one of the best offensive lineman in the league, as an 11-time Pro Bowler with three All-Pro selections.
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"He is a key to their success on offense and he knows it," former NFL defensive back and special teamer Jason Bell exclusively told talkSPORT.
"This is why he's able to hold out and do what he does. Getting him back on the field is key.
Williams is set to make $20 million this season and is under contract through 2026.
But the 36-year-old tackle could be hoping for more guaranteed money and increased average annual value on a new deal.
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Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel and Aiyuk give head coach Kyle Shanahan an overload of offensive weapons.
Williams anchors it all, and he's pushing for more money and financial respect, just like Aiyuk did.
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"Now, I don't think they're as worried about him missing the offseason because this guy can plug and play," Bell said.
"But if they want to stretch the field horizontally like they do in the running game and protect their quarterback, they have to have him on the field. He is key.
"Brock Purdy has been in that offense with him and he's learned to lean on him. And he doesn't have to worry about pressure on that side, right? So he's not thinking, 'I need to take a peek over there.' He knows Trent Williams can hold up."
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Only if Williams is wearing a 49ers uniform once the real games begin.
Thanks to Purdy's affordable contract, San Francisco has the ability to take care of Aiyuk and Williams in the same offseason.
Which means that 2024 is not "now or never" for the 49ers, who came a few seconds away from beating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
Travis Kelce, Andy Reid and Mahomes begin their quest for an historic three-peat on Thursday against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens to kick off a new NFL season.
Purdy is officially 'Mr. Relevant' for San Francisco, as his $985,000 base salary allows the 49ers to spread their salary cap cash around, which recently included a huge $120 million extension for Aiyuk.
That financial flexibility on the offensive side of the ball has the 49ers entering a new season as NFC favorites with an extended competitive runway.
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"It's not now or never," Bell said.
"Just because you've got Brock Purdy on this contract that allows you to do what they just did, which is give a bunch of money to Brandon Aiyuk and other players, right? So that is a key component to their success."
However, one other name is critical to San Francisco's 2024 chances of winning a first Super Bowl since 1994.
For all the attention that Purdy receives, one man drives the 49ers.
Shanahan has gotten the best out of everyone from Jimmy Garoppolo and Aiyuk to Samuel and Purdy.
Bell says that Shanahan's power inside San Francisco's organization is critical to a smooth return for Aiyuk, who caught 75 balls for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
"Brandon Aiyuk and his agents will understand who is the real shot caller at the San Francisco 49ers, and it's the head coach. The head coach runs everything," Bell said.
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"So as long as that was handled in a way that seems like it was respectful, then Brandon Aiyuk is just going to get out there. He's got his money. It's all good.
"He'll go out there and be exactly what they need, which is a vertical threat, because his ability on the outside to stretch that field vertically allows all that stuff underneath to open up."
Another key transition for the 49ers in 2024 will be overcoming a classic "Super Bowl hangover," Bell said.
San Francisco went 12-5 last season, then played three close playoff games.
It won't be any easier for the 49ers in 2024.
"What you will see is some attrition because they played so many games -- that's really difficult," Bell said. "You're tired. You've been out there. Those are long seasons.
"So even if they don't win as many games this season, it's still a dominant team, a great roster, and they know how to win those significant games, especially when it comes down to the playoffs. They've been in that position. They know how to turn it on and get ready in the postseason.
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"I don't think they'll have the record that they did last year, but they'll be a force in the playoffs."
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio - join us for coverage of the first Monday Night Football of the season when the New York Jets travel to the San Francisco 49ers on talkSPORT from 1am on Tuesday September 10
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