The San Francisco 49ers find themselves in a precarious position. It’s like they’re trying to juggle chainsaws while walking a tightrope. On one side, you’ve got Trent Williams, a human bulldozer as an offensive tackle. On the other, Brandon Aiyuk, whose route-running is smoother than butter on a hot skillet. But as the 49ers navigate this treacherous terrain, former NFL player Mark Schlereth has some choice words for both situations.

On 27th July episode of The Stinkin Truth Podcast, Schlereth didn’t just dip his toes into the contract controversy; he cannonballed right in. “I would pay that Beast whatever he wanted,” he declared about Williams. “Like what do you need? Yes, you can have it.” It’s clear Schlereth believes Williams is worth his weight in gold – and at 320 pounds, that’s saying something.

The 11-time Pro Bowler Williams is currently MIA from training camp, citing contract issues. Despite having three years left on his deal, he’s looking for some extra financial padding. Williams is set to make $20.1 million in base salary in 2024, $22.5 million in 2025, and a whopping $32.2 million in 2026. Yet, he’s seeking more guaranteed money. Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ head coach, seemed to take it in stride, saying as per ESPN, “I knew it could be a possibility. I feel pretty confident it will all work out in the long run.”

Schlereth didn’t stop at mere praise for Williams. He painted a vivid picture of the left tackle’s impact, stating, “Players will stop what they’re doing to watch him during one-on-one drills.” He even went as far as to say, “Trent Williams is arguably their most valuable or best offensive player and you know and they have Christian mcaffrey on their squad.”

But when the conversation shifted to Brandon Aiyuk, Schlereth’s tone changed faster than a cornerback on a double move. “I think it’s chicken sh*t,” he blurted out, referring to Aiyuk’s decision to hold in rather than fully participate in camp. “Either have the balls to sit out or come to camp and participate,” Schlereth advised, clearly not a fan of half-measures.

Is Brandon Aiyuk’s gambit a high-stakes game of chicken?

Aiyuk’s situation is stickier than a post-game locker room floor. After a breakout 2023 season where he led the team with 75 receptions and 1,342 yards, he’s looking for a payday bigger than a linebacker’s appetite. But Schlereth isn’t buying it. “Do you deserve to get paid? Yeah, you deserve to get paid,” Schlereth conceded. “But do you deserve to be a top 10 paid wide receiver in the National Football League? Absolutely not.”

Ouch. That’s gotta sting more than a blindside hit. Schlereth even ranked Aiyuk fourth among the team’s offensive weapons, saying, “Christian McCaffrey would be number one then I would say probably Deebo Samuel be number two then I would go George kittle would be number three you could even easily flip-flop those two yeah and then I would go Brandon Aiyuk.”

The 49ers, meanwhile, are playing it cool. GM John Lynch said they “fully intend” on having Aiyuk with the team moving forward. But actions speak louder than words, and the team’s recent signing of receiver Frank Darby might be sending a message louder than a stadium full of faithful fans. Aiyuk’s teammate, Deebo Samuel, who went through his own contract drama two years ago, offered some sage advice speaking to reporters this week: “Keep his head up, things are gonna work out.”

He added, “I know what it feels like to go through what he’s going through right now. The only thing I can do is just tell him is to keep his head up, things are gonna work out.” As the 49ers continue to navigate this contractual minefield, it’s worth noting their recent history. A couple of months ago, they asked Kyle Juszczyk and Arik Armstead to take pay cuts, a move neither player appreciated. It’s a reminder that in the NFL, every dollar is a battle.

For Williams, the stakes are high. He can’t rescind the $50k/day fines because he’s not on a rookie deal anymore. It’s a game of chicken that could cost him dearly if it drags on. As the 49ers continue to navigate this contractual minefield, one thing’s for sure – the drama off the field is proving to be just as intense as the action on it. And in the immortal words of the great Bill Walsh, “The score takes care of itself.” We’ll just have to wait and see how this particular scoreboard plays out.