San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said Sunday that contract talks with star left tackle Trent Williams have intensified in recent days and could lead to a deal soon. Speaking at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Lynch described the communication as "good" and expressed hope that the sides are nearing an agreement.

Williams' contract situation became more complicated when the 49ers declined to exercise his $10 million option bonus on March 20, pushing his 2026 salary cap number to around $47 million. Despite this, team sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the franchise remains committed to reworking the deal before the NFL draft. The 37-year-old Williams, who has been one of the NFL's most dominant offensive tackles, has indicated he wants to play until age 40.

Throughout the offseason, Lynch has maintained that discussions with Williams have remained professional and straightforward. The 49ers face a challenging decision in balancing Williams' age against his elite performance level, as he earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2024. With no obvious replacement on the roster, San Francisco appears determined to find a solution that works for both parties.