San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach and run game coordinator Chris Foerster hasn't been in touch with his All-Pro left tackle, Trent Williams, for some time. Williams is holding out of training camp as he seeks a contract restructure.
"I haven't heard from Trent recently, no," Foerster told reporters before Saturday's practice. "I heard from him in the offseason a little bit. The offseason was fairly normal until it got time for this thing to start doing whatever it's doing, and haven't heard from him [since]."
The 49ers hope to resolve the situation before they open the 2024 season against the New York Jets on Monday, September 9.
On the positive side, one offensive lineman is benefiting from Williams' absence—former fifth-round draft pick Jaylon Moore, whose opportunities have been limited with Williams and Colton McKivitz regularly anchoring the edges.
"Jaylon's always been a consistent performer for us, he really has, when he's filled in," Foerster said. "I think it's been more so this year because now we're however many practices in, and there's been no Trent, so Jaylon's gotten all the work. And Jaylon has a place in the NFL because he is a good pass blocker. He's competed well in pass blocking this year with all the guys they have over there rushing. Run game is always something he's challenged with. Not that he doesn't like to run block or can. It's just how he's made up, his body type. He's not as explosive, quick, or gets under people as well."
Moore's overall Pro Football Focus grade has steadily improved year after year. He played a career-high 226 snaps last season, earning a 72.9 overall grade and a 69.7 run-blocking grade from the analytics site.
"But the guy's done a really [good job]," Foerster continued. "He's always done a good job. I've always been proud of him, and yet he's gotten even better. He's a low-burn guy, and sometimes you think, is he really getting it? But then all of a sudden, you realize you see steady improvement in certain areas, and I've seen that continue."
Foerster also commented on McKivitz, stating that the right tackle is a solid run blocker.
"I won't put him quite in [former 49ers tackle Mike] McGlinchey's category as a run blocker," Foerster commented. "Mike was an elite run blocker. Colton's not quite at that level, although he's getting there. He's really worked hard. Colton takes so much pride in everything he does. He gets better at everything."
