Kyle Shanahan confident in Jaylon Moore’s place in 49ers starting lineup – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SANTA CLARA – While there are reports that the 49ers are making some progress in their talks with left tackle Trent Williams, San Francisco is still preparing as if the 11-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman will not be available in Week 1.

This is primarily a precautionary measure, although head coach Kyle Shanahan explained that this is not limited to Williams’ situation.

“I make plans with everybody moving forward,” Shanahan said after practice Friday. “From the perspective of a coach dealing with contract issues, I try to look at it this way: We have big plans for Trent as a tackle. We have big plans for (Brandon Aiyuk). But just as easily as a contract issue that takes him out, they could come in and get injured on day one and then not have him for the rest of the year.”

“In 2020, we planned to have (Nick) Bosa all year, and he tore his ACL in week two. Same thing with Jimmy (Garoppolo) in his second year. He tore his ACL in week three. The outcome isn’t much different. As a coach, you always have to be prepared for things like that. So that’s what you plan for every day, whether they’re here or not.”

This meant that Jaylon Moore was regularly used in the 49ers’ starting lineup instead of Williams.

Moore, a fifth-round draft pick in 2021, has plenty of NFL playing experience, having played 40 games with seven starts in three seasons in San Francisco and practicing with the 49ers’ starters at least once a week during the 2023 NFL season when Williams was given veterans day off.

Shanahan praised Moore and said the 49ers are confident if they have to use him in the 2024 season opener against the New York Jets on Sept. 9.

“I think he had a heck of a training camp,” Shanahan said. “I think he had a heck of a year last year, too. He went through the whole training camp against Bosa, Leonard (Floyd), Yetur (Gross-Matos) and all those guys. He’s gotten better and better and I’m very confident playing with Jaylon.”

Quarterback Brock Purdy, who will likely be most affected if Williams’ absence continues into the regular season, has tried to play down the situation as much as possible.

“For me, camp has been about running the plays, being efficient and doing my job as quarterback,” Purdy said. “I’m not falling back and worrying about who’s blitzing from the left side now that Trent’s out. I trust Jaylon Moore right now. He’s done a great job. That’s my mindset about it.”

“At the same time, I love Trent. Of course I’d love to have him here with us and stuff, but I’m not going to let myself fall back, I’m thinking about pass protection all the time. I’ve got a job to do and I’ve got to read the defense and go through my own reads and do my job well. Hopefully that gets sorted out too. But of course I love Trent and I’d love to have him back. He’s the best in the game.”

While that may be true, Moore will continue to be the 49ers’ left tackle until Williams returns.

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast