LA Rams NFC West Division rivals have more than contract disputes in 2024

The LA Rams have no monopoly on offseason struggles. In fact, the Rams cannot even claim to be the NFC West Division team with the worst luck right now. You see, that title belongs to the San Francisco 49ers. While many NFL analysts consider the 49ers to be the cream of the NFL (they are still very good), even the mighty can fall due to injuries.

And that injury flu that has been hammering on the Rams roster so far has been a sledge hammer to the 49ers offseason roster. So much so that the 49ers had to forego a joint practice before facing the New Orleans Saints in Game 2 of the 2024 NFL preseason because, well, not enough players were healthy enough to make it worthwhile:

That seems to be quite the conundrum for the defending NFC Champions, But that is only the tip of the iceberg right now. You see, teams that win boast players who outperform their contracts. But that monetary mismatch ultimately catches up to them, and the time for readjusting contracts is now. Just ask WR Brandon Aiyuk, LT Trent Williams, and in a year from now, QB Brock Purdy.

Well what about Brandon Aiyuk?

Veteran WR Brandon Aiyuk is coming off his rookie contract, and wants to join the growing number or highly compensated NFL wide receivers. And the 49ers front office wants to make him one of the NFL's hightly compensated NFL wide receivers. The thing is, the two sides do not agree what that compensation is, which has precipitated a trade request by Brandon Aiyuk to find a team that sees things his way.

But then again, Aiyuk has some teams he will play for, and some that he won't play for. And so the battle, er, negotiations drag on . . .

It's a complex matter right now, because the primary players seem to change quickly. For now, the matter appears to be a 49ers trade of Aiyuk to the Steelers, or the 49ers extension of Aiyuk at a higher compensation level. But even that could change instantly and dramatically:

Ultimately, the team that pays AIyuk needs to understand the upside and downside to doing so. Will he remain healthy, productive, and motivated after signing a big contract? We are about to find out.

More importantly, what about 36-year-old LT Trent Williams?

The bigger issue for the 49ers front office in terms of urgency is how to satisfy veteran LT Trent Willams. He is 36 years old, which means that his performance can start to decline without notice. But, he is still one of the top left tackles in the NFL.

But for how long?

Thus explains the urgency of Trent Williams to get paid now, and with guaranteed money. And it also explains why the 49ers front office is dragging their feet. There is significant risk to either side without a carefully constructed contract extension with protective provision for both sides. That type of deal-making takes a lot of time.

Until it's done and executed, Trent Williams is content to sit this one out.

What about starting QB Brock Purdy?

While everyone has anointed 49ers QB Brock Purdy as the next great NFL quarterback, there continues to be glimpses of tin underneath that gold veneer. For starters, how is it that Brock Purdy competed in a preseason game, yet was just two completions out of six passes for only 11 yards? Rams backup QB Stetson Bennett outperformed that outing.

Which reinforces the perception that anyone who has a pulse, can pass the football, and read defenses at an NFL level can succeed in the pocket of the San Francisco 49ers. At least, they could. But with players holding out for big paydays, an offensive line that is showing signs of cracks, and an offense that is counting on the durability of oft-injured veteran RB Christian McCaffrey, the stars may no longer align for a QB who is on autopilot.

All are concerning developments that individually, are nothing more than speed bumps. But all occurring simultaneously? Well that's a different matter.

Teams will be finalizing their 53-man roster in a week's time. From the 49ers perspective, that could be a reprieve in that they will have far fewer players to manage. But if neither Brandon Aiyuk or Trent Williams contract disputes are settled? 2024 could be a long season for the Niners.