The San Francisco 49ers are heading towards a breaking point. While they’re one of the top teams in the NFL and have a chance to secure the NFC’s number 1 seed this season, their future could be at risk.
With Brandon Aiyuk likely gone, Jauan Jennings hitting free agency, and the large contracts all around the roster, one player’s future comes into question: offensive tackle Trent Williams.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler highlighted Williams as a name to watch after the 2025 season, as Williams, with a huge $38.8 million cap hit, could wind up on a new team in 2026 and beyond.
49ers’ Trent Williams at risk of leaving team amid $38.8 million problem
“Could one of the greatest left tackles of all time enter free agency in March?” Fowler writes. “The 49ers think Williams, 37, is having one of his best months in recent memory. But his massive cap hit of $38.8 million is approaching.”
With such a huge cap hit on the horizon for the 2026 season, the 49ers are not likely to let it stand. They are likely to make some form of move, but the specifics of that move could be a wide range of outcomes.
Fowler listed the options for the 49ers as follows: “Give an elite but aging player a marker deal (hint: it’s not a small market), stand pat and ride out the cap hit, or entertain a player release or trade.”
While the 49ers would likely want to keep such a stalwart at left tackle for as long as he wants to play, which could be for three more seasons until he’s 40 years old, it might be too expensive.
A cut or trade could be in the works if the two sides cannot agree to a new deal, and while losing such a player would be a big blow, the 49ers could save money, and if they find a trade partner, land a decent return for one of the top tackles in the NFL.
April 1st is a date to keep in mind for 49ers fans, as a $10 million option bonus is due by then. Regardless of the 49ers’ decision, fans could expect a resolution by the beginning of April in 2026.
The Detroit Lions are losing a coach as the 2025-26 season winds down, with the Christmas game against the Vikings looming.
The Detroit Lions are going to need a miracle at this point to get into the playoffs following their December 21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that doesn’t take away from the star players on this team.
Now, the team has two regular season games left, and they’re going to make the most of them. The first is on Christmas Day against NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings on the road. The last time these two played each other was on November 2, and the Vikings took that one, 27-24.
Dan Campbell has been the head coach of this team since 2021, but his coaching staff has changed a lot this season. Of course, the biggest changes were offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn leaving for head coaching gigs.
Perhaps the Lions are feeling the absence of those coaches this season, and perhaps that’s why there have been hiccups on the field.
Now, the Detroit Lions will have to forge ahead without another piece of their coaching staff. As they regroup for the future, they’ll have to fill his shoes, too.
On Monday, December 22, the Iowa State Cyclones officially announced that they have hired Detroit Lions tight ends coach Tyler Roehl as their new offensive coordinator. So, Roehl will head to Iowa, and the Lions will need a new tight end leader.
Roehl and Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers have competed against each other at NDSU and South Dakota State, respectively, according to an official release from the school.
“I’ve competed against Tyler, I’ve coached against him,” Rogers said in a statement. “He’s the ultimate competitor and having gone against him as a coach I know he has the mindset and leadership to help our offense be successful.”
He added, “His offenses are known for creativity, innovation and toughness, and as a former defensive coordinator, I know how hard those offenses were to prepare for when we competed against one another.”
The release also adds that for Detroit this season, Roehl’s top two tight ends Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright have combined for 54 receptions for 597 yards and five touchdown catches, which are great numbers.
Roehl also graduated from NDSU in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and earned a master’s degree in health, nutrition and exercise science in 2014.
Detroit Lions Players Get Pro Bowl Nods
A handful of Detroit Lions made the Pro Bowl roster for 2026. The players who are in for 2026 include linebacker Jack Campbell, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, tackle Penei Sewell and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Campbell, Gibbs, Hutchinson and Sewell were named Pro Bowl starters. The Detroit Lions also had five players named as alternates for the Pro Bowl, including Goff (first alternate), safety Brian Branch (first), wide receiver Jameson Williams (fourth) , safety Kerby Joseph (fifth) and tight end Sam LaPorta (fifth).
As for quarterbacks for the National Football Conference, Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold, Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott and LA Rams’ Matthew Stafford were chosen.