The San Francisco 49ers are heading into the offseason earlier than expected after a tough wild-card loss to the Seattle Seahawks. While the 12-5 regular season record showed promise, the early playoff exit has left a sour taste - and a clear hunger for redemption in 2026.
One player especially eager to hit the reset button? Rookie defensive lineman Mykel Williams.
Williams’ first NFL season was cut short by a torn ACL, a brutal blow for any player, let alone a young rookie trying to make his mark. But the former first-round pick is already eyeing a return. Speaking to reporters, Williams shared that his rehab is trending in the right direction and that he “should be” ready to go by the time training camp rolls around.
That’s encouraging news for a 49ers defense that, while talented, missed Williams’ presence down the stretch. In nine games this season, the rookie posted 11 solo tackles and one sack - modest numbers on paper, but his impact went beyond the stat sheet. Williams showed flashes of the explosiveness and power that made him a top prospect, and his development was on a promising trajectory before the injury.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating what it’s been like for him. “I ain’t gonna lie to you, it’s been hard dealing with something like this and just living it,” Williams said. “Probably the biggest injury I ever had, and then just the timetable that it takes, then missing all the important games that I’m missing … it would’ve been nice to be a part of that.”
That honesty speaks volumes. ACL rehab is a grind - physically, mentally, emotionally.
And for a rookie watching his teammates battle through the postseason without him, the frustration is real. But Williams isn’t going through it alone.
Enter Nick Bosa. The All-Pro edge rusher knows this road all too well, having torn his ACL back in 2020. Since then, Bosa’s become not just a dominant force on the field but also a guiding voice in the locker room - especially for Williams.
“Bosa’s been extremely helpful,” Williams said. “He’s like a real big brother.
He looks out, he comes in, checks on me, sits down, eats lunch with me, talks to me, asks me about my knee, asks me how I’m feeling. I feel more comfortable leaning on him and asking him for stuff, versus like a lot of other people … because he’s been through it.
He knows exactly what it feels like and how to move.”
That kind of mentorship can’t be overstated. Having someone like Bosa - who’s not only come back from the same injury but returned to elite form - gives Williams a blueprint for what’s possible. It also reinforces the culture the 49ers have built: one of accountability, support, and high expectations.
Looking ahead, San Francisco will be aiming to bounce back in a big way. The NFC West remains one of the league’s most competitive divisions, and with the sting of a playoff loss still fresh, the 49ers have every reason to come back sharper, healthier, and more motivated.
And if Mykel Williams is back to full strength by training camp, don’t be surprised if he plays a key role in that resurgence. He’s got the talent, the drive, and now - thanks to a little help from Bosa - the roadmap to make it happen.