With the signing of Brandon Aiyuk, the clock is ticking for the 49ers and Trent Williams

The 49ers had one hold-in and one hold-out. The hold-in signed his new contract. The hold-out remains without money one week before Week 1.

Now that the 49ers have finally signed receiver Brandon Aiyuk, will they also bring tackle Trent Williams back into the team?

On August 21, coach Kyle Shanahan said of the talks with Williams: “Hopefully it is getting closer.” Around the same time, Williams' former teammate in Washington, DeSean Jackson, strongly hinted that Williams would soon emerge.

Even though August has now become September, Williams still hasn't agreed to the terms.

It's rare for players to waive game tests while under contract. Williams once sat out an entire season because he was unhappy with Washington. He's shown that he's not bluffing. He's proven that when he has a point of view, he'll stand firm.

Williams is set to make $20.05 million this year. He currently ranks sixth among all tackles in terms of average new money at $23 million. With three years left on his contract, he has no guarantees.

If he is on the active roster in Week 1, his 2024 salary is essentially guaranteed due to the CBA's rules for veterans eligible for a fixed salary. If he is released at any point during the season, he is entitled to his full salary as severance pay.

This shows that it's about more than guaranteed money, at least for 2024. It's also about dollars. And the 49ers didn't offer him enough.

After the Aiyuk deal was finalized, some suggested the 49ers had focused on the receiver and would now turn their attention to Williams. Aside from the fact that the 49ers had spoken to Williams, that message assumes the front office can't negotiate two deals at once.

They can. They have. As for Williams, they haven't done enough to get him involved. Without him, Jaylon Moore, a 2021 fifth-round pick, would step in. He could hold his own, but he's not Trent Williams. And if the 49ers hope to finally win their sixth Super Bowl exactly 30 years after their last one, they're going to need Williams.

Williams knows that. And more importantly, he's willing to stay until he gets what he wants. If that means not playing at all this year, then he's already shown he's willing and able to do that.