The San Francisco 49ers have been among the 2024 season’s Super Bowl favorites since their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in last season’s big game.
At +500 odds in February, the 49ers were even favored over the newly-minted champs.
However, there was always a caveat to the Niners living up to their potential this year: they needed their best players to return. And up until a week ago, it seemed possible that wasn’t going to happen, as Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams continued to hold out of practice while awaiting new contracts — or trades.
But fret not, Niners bettors. The team is whole again. Just in time for game week of their Monday night opener against the New York Jets, the Niners are finalizing a deal with Williams, his agency announced Tuesday. The news comes just a few days after San Francisco locked up Aiyuk on a four-year deal.
All-Pro LT Trent Williams is headed to SF to finalize a new deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
–#elitelyaltysports @ou_football pic.twitter.com/Gykw73TXoi— Elite Loyalty Sports (@eliteloyaltysp) September 3, 2024
Now the team is officially ready to defend its NFC crown and push for a championship.
Though the Niners’ +600 odds of today aren’t quite as short as they were in February, they only trails the Chiefs at +500 and remain the NFC favorites. They’ve attracted the third-most money at BetMGM behind the Chiefs and Detroit Lions (+1200).
To make good on those bets, San Francisco will need Williams and Aiyuk. Both were integral pieces in Brock Purdy’s rise to an MVP candidate and the Niners’ 12-5 record last season. Williams has been one of the NFL’s best left tackles over his 13-year career and received his third straight All-Pro nod for how he protected Purdy’s blind side and cleared lanes for Christian McCaffrey. Aiyuk was the Niners’ leading receiver, catching for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
Without them, San Francisco’s path through the NFC would have been tougher, let alone a Super Bowl run. With them back in the fold, this is one of the best teams in the NFL.
