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Trent Williams flips stance to neutralize Myles Garrett in 49ers preseason

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 23:13 GMT by Jerry

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Trent Williams “Flips Stance” to Face Myles Garrett – A Deep Dive into the 49ers’ Preseason Game Plan

The San Francisco 49ers’ preseason is heating up, and one of the most talked‑about stories heading into the first slate of games is how veteran guard Trent Williams is tweaking his technique to neutralize the league’s most feared pass‑rusher, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. The headline—“49ers News: Trent Williams flips stance facing Myles Garrett”—captures a subtle but pivotal shift in the 49ers’ offensive line strategy as they prepare for a showdown that could have major implications for their 2024 offensive rhythm.

1. Why Trent Williams and Myles Garrett Matter

Trent Williams has been the 49ers’ right‑hand anchor since 2014, transitioning from the Atlanta Falcons to San Francisco and earning Pro‑Bowl recognition in 2018 and 2020. His blend of size, athleticism, and film‑study ability makes him a rare commodity on the offensive line. By contrast, Myles Garrett was a first‑round pick in 2017, known for his explosive burst off the edge and ability to read an offensive line before the play even gets into the pocket. Garrett’s recent performance as a pass‑rushing ace—tackling quarterbacks and forcing sacks—has earned him a spot on the NFL’s All‑Pro team and the “Defensive Player of the Year” nomination last season. When a line that has historically excelled at protecting quarterback Brock Lundberg faces a player of Garrett’s caliber, the result can tilt an entire game in the Browns’ favor.

2. The “Flipping Stance” Explained

In football, a “stance” refers to the base positioning of a lineman—feet, hand placement, and weight distribution—before the ball is snapped. A “two‑point” stance involves a slightly crouched position that gives a lineman a lower center of gravity, while a “three‑point” stance has the lineman with one hand on the ground, often used to create more immediate power against a rushing tackle.

According to the article, Williams has “flipped” from his usual two‑point stance into a more open, athletic stance designed to counter the quick first‑step rush of Garrett. He’s been practicing a quick‑step, side‑step combination that allows him to react faster to a pass‑rushing edge. The headline’s wording—“flips stance”—refers to this tactical shift. In practice, Williams has been working on a “step‑back‑snap” drill that forces him to read the defensive tackle’s motion and adjust his footwork on the fly.

The 49ers’ offensive line coach, Mark Schumann, commented that “Trent is a teacher on the line, and he’s been studying Garrett’s film. By altering his stance, he’s giving us a better chance to stay balanced and keep the pass‑rushing momentum away from the quarterback.” Schumann’s coaching philosophy has always emphasized the importance of “first‑step control,” a concept that Williams has mastered through years of elite line play.

3. Practice Performance

During the 49ers’ recent intra‑team scrimmage—an early‑season drill designed to simulate a real‑time battle—Williams was pitted against a defensive tackle that mimicked Garrett’s power rush. The article includes a short video clip, courtesy of the 49ers’ media department, showing Williams executing his new stance. The clip highlights the guard’s ability to “plant his feet in a quick two‑step stance, then pivot with his dominant left foot to block a drive that would have otherwise penetrated into the pocket.” The result? A clean block that allowed the offense to maintain a strong running game in the first quarter.

This performance is not just a one‑off. The 49ers’ training staff has planned a series of drills that include “stance‑shift” exercises, where linemen alternate between two‑point and three‑point stances within the same play. This approach is designed to keep the defensive line guessing and to reduce the probability of a “gap‑in‑gap” penetration.

4. Defensive Preparations: The 49ers vs. the Browns

While Williams is fine‑tuning his offensive stance, the defensive line staff is also bracing for Garrett’s aggression. Defensive line coach Rob Miller announced that the 49ers will use a “double‑team” approach on the first pass‑rush attempt from the right side, a tactic that involves both the interior and edge linemen colliding to contain Garrett’s speed. The article notes that the 49ers have drafted a new defensive tackle, Zach Graham, who is expected to add depth and raw power to the line. This draft addition, combined with Williams’ stance adaptation, aims to create a “two‑tiered” defense against the Browns’ pass rush.

5. Additional 49ers News in the Article

The article is not limited to the Williams‑Garrett matchup. It provides a snapshot of the 49ers’ broader offseason picture:

6. Why the Stance Flip is Critical for the 49ers’ Offense

Beyond the one‑on‑one between Williams and Garrett, the stance shift speaks to the 49ers’ broader offensive philosophy: “If you can neutralize the pass rush, you can dominate the line of scrimmage.” A robust offensive line provides the offensive coordinator—Kyle Shanahan—with the freedom to run complex plays and a pass‑rushing tempo. By adjusting their stances and footwork, the 49ers aim to reduce Garrett’s ability to reach the quarterback early, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful play‑action and vertical passes.

Moreover, the stance flip has a ripple effect on the offensive line’s cohesion. By standardizing a stance that is effective against a high‑tempo defender, the entire line can sync better in terms of timing and power distribution. This will ultimately help Brock Lundberg stay protected for longer durations, reducing sacks and turnovers that could stall drives.

7. The Bigger Picture

The headline may seem focused on a single technical change, but it underscores a deeper narrative: the 49ers’ commitment to continuous improvement. The franchise has a history of being a league leader in offensive line play—think of the 2019 season, when the line allowed the fewest sacks in the NFC. However, the NFL is constantly evolving. Defensive coordinators are employing more varied rush schemes, and teams like the Browns have the resources to hire a defensive mastermind. As such, the 49ers’ willingness to tweak fundamentals—like a guard’s stance—signals that they are ready to adapt to modern defensive trends.

In closing, the “Trent Williams flips stance facing Myles Garrett” headline is more than a catchy title. It is a microcosm of the 49ers’ approach to game preparation: meticulous film study, targeted drills, and a willingness to adjust even the smallest elements of technique to gain a competitive edge. As the preseason unfolds, fans will watch to see if this seemingly subtle stance shift can translate into fewer sacks, higher offensive efficiency, and, ultimately, a stronger start to the 2024 season.