Sean McVay’s journey to becoming the NFL’s youngest head coach reads like a Hollywood script. Picture this: a 30-year-old walks into the Four Seasons, about to meet Aaron Donald, the Rams‘ defensive juggernaut. The stakes? Only a shot at making NFL history. Fast forward to 2024, and McVay’s Rams are almost playoff regulars.

Meanwhile, across the bay, All-Pro tackle Trent Williams is pulling a disappearing act from 49ers training camp. These two tales, seemingly as different as touchdowns and tackles, share a common thread: the power of player endorsements in the NFL’s coaching carousel. Back in 2017, the Rams’ brass got crafty. They dialed up players who knew McVay from his Washington days. DeSean Jackson, who played under McVay, spilled the beans to Colin Cowherd today:

Jackson didn’t hold back. “Sean McVay is actually a very personable guy because he goes up and he takes control,” he said. “He takes ownership and at this time, Sean McVay was like 28, 27. I mean, he was young, and he would control the room.” Jackson added, “Not only engaged like he knew his stuff X and O the ins and outs of the plays it was just like you would have thought he everything was his philosophy right.”

This player-driven endorsement wasn’t just a footnote; it was the headline in McVay’s hiring story. It showed he could command a locker room full of veterans while still being young enough to get carded at bars. His first meeting with Aaron Donald wasn’t just a meet-and-greet; it was a football chess match.

“I remember when I was interviewing for the job I went over when it was basically like if you don’t sh*t yourself you’re gonna get the job so they want to make sure Aaron Donald’s okay with it so I go over the Four Seasons meet with Aaron Donald meet with Reggie Scott,“ McVay recalled in Green Light with Chris Jones in June.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. McVay shared with Chris Long: “He’s looking at like hey this guy’s going to be the head coach I got to see this to believe it but right away you know his ability to communicate honestly about what he thought we needed to do to move in the right direction you know one of the things that he talked about was hey we need to have you know consistent accountability across the board.”

McVay’s quarterback whisperer reputation is well-earned. He was crucial in Kirk Cousins’ development in Washington, and the Rams hoped he’d work the same magic with 2016 first-overall pick Jared Goff. The goal? Revive an offense that had been the NFL’s worst for two straight years.

The gamble paid off big time. McVay turned a 4-12 team into an 11-5 playoff contender faster than you can say “offensive genius.” He snagged Coach of the Year honors and has since taken the Rams to the Super Bowl. But McVay’s impact goes beyond win-loss records. In 2016, his Redskins offense averaged over 400 yards per game for the first time in franchise history, finishing as the NFL’s third-ranked unit.

The Rams were so sold on McVay, that they hired him without even interviewing Atlanta’s Kyle Shanahan, considered a frontrunner at the time Speaking of Shanahan, the 49ers are facing a new situation in their player contract negotiations.

A star’s quest for recognition!

Now, let’s hop over to the 49ers’ camp – or rather, the conspicuous absence from it. Trent Williams, the human wall protecting quarterbacks’ blindsides, is nowhere to be seen. He’s holding out, despite having three years left on his deal.

Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ head coach, is playing it cool. “I feel pretty confident it will all work out in the long run and he’ll be here,” he told reporters as per ESPN. But Williams’ absence is more than just an empty locker; it’s a power play that’s becoming all too familiar in the NFL. Williams isn’t just any player. He’s a Pro Bowler for 11 straight seasons and a first-team All-Pro for the past three.

His current contract pays him $20.1 million in 2024, $22.5 million in 2025, and $32.2 million in 2026. But in the NFL’s “what have you done for me lately” culture, even those eye-popping numbers aren’t enough. Williams isn’t alone in his contract tug-of-war.

Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers’ star receiver, is also playing hardball. He showed up to camp but isn’t practicing, a move that’s about as subtle as a touchdown dance in the end zone. It’s a familiar dance for the 49ers. In 2022, Deebo Samuel’s contract saga dragged on until July’s end, and in 2023, Nick Bosa’s holdout stretched into September.

As the 49ers navigate this latest challenge, they might want to take a page from the Rams’ playbook. Sometimes, listening to your players – whether it’s about contracts or coaching hires – can lead to unexpected victories both on and off the field. In the end, whether it’s Sean McVay’s meteoric rise or Trent Williams’ high-stakes holdout, one thing’s clear: in the NFL, player power is the name of the game. And that game? It’s always changing, always thrilling, and always worth watching.