49ers HC Shanahan talks to Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams amid trade and contract rumors | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

As the clock ticks towards the start of the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers continue to try to find a solution with both Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams.

Appears on KNBR’s Colbert and Topes On a Thursday show (courtesy of David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone.com), 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that “nothing has changed so far” with Aiyuk.

“I feel like we’ve been in the same situation for a while now, so there are still plenty of options, plenty of directions we can go, and we’re still trying to get to the root of the problem and fix it, but nothing has changed in that regard,” Shanahan said.

There was a little more optimism when Shanahan spoke about Williams’ status now that he has deferred his contract, but there is no indication that a resolution is coming any time soon.

“We’re having a lot of conversations with his agent,” he said. “Trent’s not here right now, obviously not at camp. I believe he’s in Houston, but I’m not sure. But we’re talking to his agent a lot, and hopefully we can figure it out. Like I’ve said all along, I’m optimistic that we will, but obviously the sooner the better.”

Aiyuk’s situation was the 49ers’ primary focus during the offseason.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday that San Francisco has agreed to terms on a deal that will see Aiyuk join the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, the reigning NFC champions are still trying to work out a long-term contract extension with the All-Pro wideout.

On Monday Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that the Steelers’ contract offer to Aiyuk was approximately $28 million per season.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the 49ers have not yet reached a deal as the two sides are “not that far apart” on a contract extension.

There’s far less drama surrounding Williams’ situation, in part because there’s no indication the 49ers want to trade him. The three-time All-Pro has held out since the start of training camp while seeking a contract adjustment.

Williams is under contract through 2026, but there is no guaranteed money left in the deal. Christian McCaffrey was in a similar situation earlier this offseason before signing a two-year, $38 million extension in June.

Both Williams and Aiyuk are key parts of the 49ers offense. Aiyuk, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, has passed for over 1,000 receiving yards over the past two years. He led the team with 1,342 yards in 2023.

Williams is widely regarded as the best offensive tackle in the NFL. The 36-year-old has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the 49ers. He has been an All-Pro first-team selection in each of the past three seasons.

The 49ers open the regular season on September 9 against the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium.