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New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is closely monitoring the current situation between the San Francisco 49ers and two of their star players, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tackle Trent Williams. Aiyuk is “holding back” and waiting for a contract extension or trade, while Williams is holding back and seeking a restructured contract with more guaranteed money and likely a raise.
Nobody expected the conflict between the 49ers and these two players to drag on for so long. But now we are just entering the first week and there is still no solution in sight.
Saleh isn’t taking any chances, though. He’s preparing his Jets as if Aiyuk and Williams would be on the field for the regular season opener against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.
“I fully expect those two to play,” Saleh said on Pro Football Talk on Tuesday. “I fully expect Trent Williams to come on the field with his newly signed contract and still be his All-Pro self, I’m sure, and Aiyuk will be there for sure, but yeah, you have to keep an eye on it, kind of a sideways glance. Right now, everything is on them and them alone.”
San Francisco enters the season with championship ambitions, fueled by their Super Bowl loss last February. A strong performance in Week 1 against the Jets would be a clear sign that the team is ready to take on the challenge of climbing back to the top.
With one of the best rosters in the NFL, the 49ers will pose a formidable challenge for Saleh’s Jets regardless of what happens with Aiyuk and Williams.
“I’ll put it this way: With or without them, they’re still a championship team and they’ve got some guys in their squad,” Saleh admitted. “It’s going to be an entertaining game, a great challenge.”
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