The Indianapolis Colts’ glaring need for a quarterback has largely overshadowed their other offseason priorities. For starters, they have a laundry list of key players — including cornerback Xavier Rhodes, wide receiver TY Hilton, and defensive end Justin Houston — set to hit the open market after their respective contracts expired.
That impending headache was only exacerbated when longtime left tackle Anthony Castonzo announced his retirement shortly after the season ended. Given that he was still seemingly in the prime of his career, his decision has forced the Colts’ hand in having to address the position a lot earlier than they would’ve liked to.
Luckily for them, however, veteran world-beater Trent Williams and the 49ers couldn’t reach an agreement on a contract extension during their latest round of negotiations, improving the chances that he enters free agency once the new league year gets underway.
#49ers and Pro Bowl LT Trent Williams had extensive discussions last week on a contract extension, per sources. Doing something before Week 17 would have helped SF's salary cap. It didn't happen, and an elite tackle could hit free agency, but SF is clearly prioritizing Williams
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 7, 2021
The 49ers’ troubling cap situation could open the door for the Colts to sign Trent Williams.
As ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reports, the 49ers are prioritizing re-signing Williams, but their strenuous salary cap situation probably doesn’t align with his salary demands. When you consider how dominant the 32-year-old was in 2020 after sitting out of 2019 due to health complications and tensions with his former team (Washington), he probably deserves one last lucrative contract.
Let’s call it like it is. 49ers general manager John Lynch is one of the best in the business. If the organization had the requisite financial leeway to re-sign Williams, don’t you think an agreement would’ve been reached by now? Lowballing a player of the eight-time Pro Bowler’s caliber is the definition of franchise malpractice, especially when you consider that he’s fresh off posting his best blocking grade (91.9), per Pro Football Focus, in five seasons.
The problem? San Fran only has about $9 million in cap space this offseason. They’ll have to make other moves before re-signing Williams.
PFF's Top 100 Free Agents:
— PFF (@PFF) February 2, 2021
#5: Trent Williams
#12: Taylor Moton@KevinColePFF uses historical comparisons to value the top free agent off. tackles https://t.co/vEb5AWqPhx
With a myriad of contracts set to come off the books, the Colts should have signing Williams near the top of their offseason agenda, right behind finding a franchise quarterback.
We wouldn’t even mind reaching an agreement with the former No. 4 overall pick before the QB situation is sorted out. After all, it would make them an even more attractive destination than they already are, and you better believe that would resonate with some of the signal callers rumored to be on the move in the coming months.
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