The San Francisco 49ers are among the best groups within the NFL and are coming off a 3rd journey to not less than the NFC Championship Sport over the previous 4 years. Regardless of all of that success this core group of gamers, together with head coach Kyle Shanahan, are nonetheless looking for a Tremendous Bowl championship. Listed here are three selections they may should make earlier than the beginning of the common season that may assist them get there.
What’s going to they do with Trent Williams’ contract?
Williams shouldn’t be solely one of many 49ers’ greatest gamers — and among the best gamers within the NFL — he’s additionally one in every of their most necessary gamers, locking down the left aspect of their offensive line. He’s a central a part of their dominant operating sport, he protects quarterback Brock Purdy’s blind aspect, and he has not but made an look in coaching camp as he continues to carry out within the hopes of re-working his present contract.
Regardless that he has three years remaining on his present deal, he has no assured cash remaining. His wage cap quantity goes from $10 million this season as much as $34M subsequent yr and $37M the yr after that.
As nice as he’s, he’s 36 years previous and the 49ers have some vital contract points to additionally take care of within the coming seasons, together with potential large elevate for Purdy. How the 49ers deal with this shall be fascinating to look at.
How will they deal with the broad receiver place?
Williams shouldn’t be the one contract problem the 49ers are attempting to kind out.
Star broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk can also be not collaborating in observe, however he has been with the crew in what can greatest be described as a “hold-in” scenario. He additionally desires a brand new deal, whereas his title has additionally been concerned in commerce rumors all offseason.
Will they offer in and provides him the cash he desires? Will they commerce him to any person else who will? Or will they pay him and doubtlessly commerce Deebo Samuel someplace else? Between Aiyuk, Samuel, Jauan Jennings and first-round decide Ricky Pearsall this is likely one of the deepest broad receiver rooms within the league. However they nonetheless have some massive selections to make with it.
Who begins at proper guard?
In an ideal world with all people in camp the 49ers wouldn’t have many open place competitions. One of many few that does exist is at proper guard the place veterans Spencer Burford, Jon Feliciano and rookie Dominick Puni are all competing for that spot.
Burford appears to have the within observe for the spot, however there’s an argument to be made that Feliciano was the higher participant throughout the 2023 season. Puni additionally has some excessive upside that the 49ers will like. The offensive line is likely to be one of many greater questions the 49ers have, and proper guard is likely one of the most unsettled positions.
