The 49ers’ 37-24 win over the Titans had its fair share of highlights, but few plays turned heads quite like the sight of Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons-yes, the 305-pound defensive tackle-lining up on offense and slipping into the end zone for a touchdown. It wasn’t just a gadget play. It was a full-blown surprise that left even seasoned veterans like Trent Williams doing a double take.
“No, that was a cool little wrinkle,” Williams said postgame, still clearly amused. “Yeah, I definitely didn’t see that coming.”
And who could blame him? Simmons isn’t exactly the first name you expect to see running a route in the red zone.
But there he was, wide open across the middle, hauling in a fourth-quarter score like he’d been running routes his whole life. It was the kind of moment that sparks smiles on both sidelines-unless you’re the one trying to stop it, of course.
Naturally, the conversation turned to Williams himself. After all, if a defensive tackle can get a touchdown, why not one of the most athletic and respected offensive linemen in the game?
Williams, who’s been anchoring offensive lines since 2010, has yet to find the end zone in his career. And while the idea of a big-man touchdown has danced around in his mind, the dream isn’t burning quite as hot these days.
“It’s whatever, man,” Williams said with a wry smile. “At the end of the day, I’ve had a long time to sit there and fantasize over a touchdown.
I think those fantasies kind of faded a little bit. I just want to lock down my position.”
That’s classic Trent-focused, grounded, and all about the job in front of him. Still, you have to wonder: if the opportunity ever came up, would he say no?
Probably not. But for now, he’s more concerned with keeping his quarterback upright and paving lanes for the run game than he is with joining the touchdown club.
The win pushed San Francisco to 10-4, keeping them firmly in the playoff hunt with the postseason just around the corner. Next up? A Monday night showdown against the Indianapolis Colts-a chance to tighten their grip on a top seed and keep building momentum.
And while Williams may have put the touchdown dream on the back burner, don’t rule it out entirely. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned in this league, it’s that anything can happen-especially when 300-pounders start catching passes.