John Lynch optimistic 49ers, Trent Williams can reach deal - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — With the start of the early free agent negotiating window 13 days away, the San Francisco 49ers have a big piece of business they're hoping to get done soon: figuring out the contract situation for left tackle Trent Williams.

As it stands, Williams is entering the final year of his deal and carries a salary cap number of $38.84 million, which includes a base salary of $22.21 million and has a $10 million option bonus due in the coming weeks. That option bonus has increased the urgency to strike a deal that works for both sides.

Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday that Williams and the Niners are «struggling to find a contractual solution.» Soon after, Niners general manager John Lynch spoke to reporters at the NFL combine in Indianapolis and offered a more optimistic perspective.

«What I'll tell you is that in recent weeks I've met with both Trent and with his agent, Vincent Taylor, and had really good, productive and substantive meetings,» Lynch said. «And so, here's what I know. Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner and it's up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle. There are some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player, how great of a player he's been. He's going to be 38 years old and so there's some things that go into that, but I think we're all on the same page and feel very positive about where that's going.»

Getting a reworked deal done in the coming weeks would give the Niners cost and cap certainty heading into free agency. Williams' current contract includes no more guaranteed money as of Tuesday and contains three void years remaining beyond this season.

At the end of the season, Williams told ESPN he was expecting