Damien Woody knows that disruptions on an NFL offensive line can disrupt an entire team. That’s why he thinks the Trent Williams holdout in San Francisco is by far the league’s most significant contract dispute with 18 days before the Niners kick off the season against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
“As much as we talk about the absence of Brandon Aiyuk and his importance,” Woody said Thursday on ESPN’s NFL Live, “Trent Williams’ absence is of greater importance. You’re talking about the best left tackle in the game, even at the age of 36.”
Woody, who played center, guard and tackle and won two Super Bowls over his 12-year NFL career, said the 49ers’ offensive line without Williams is average at best, in both in the rushing attack and pass protection. Co-host Dan Orlovsky agreed that Williams is the most impactful holdout in the league.
“Aiyuk holdout, huge,” Orlovsky said. “CeeDee Lamb holdout, huge. Ja’Marr Chase holdout, huge. And they’re not as important as Trent Williams.
“He is the best guy playing football not named Patrick Mahomes. He’s that good of a player. And if he doesn’t get back and playing to the level we expect him to, we’re accustomed to, San Francisco is significantly less of a football team.”
According to ESPN, the 49ers last season averaged 6.2 yards per carry and ran for 15 touchdowns on runs toward Williams’ left side compared to 5.2 yards per attempt and just two touchdowns on the right.