Vernon Davis
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Vernon Davis thinks the 49ers need to do what they can to keep Trent Williams in town
The San Francisco 49ers have entered the offseason in a bit of a strange spot. While the team came up short in its quest to win a Super Bowl, it still managed to put together a mightily impressive campaign that saw it overcome a slew of injury issues to advance all the way to the divisional round of the playoffs.
There are several different ways the Niners could approach the offseason, and everyone has their own opinion on how they should move forward. That includes one of their former players, Vernon Davis, who has continued following the team in his post-playing career. In an exclusive interview with Heavy on 49ers, Davis took a look at San Fran’s work early in the offseason, while also discussing his upcoming appearance on Season 7 of HGTV’s “Rock the Block.”
Vernon Davis Wants 49ers to Keep Trent Williams
While Davis spent the majority of his career with the Niners, he also spent the final four years of his career playing for the Washington Redskins. While there, he crossed paths with star left tackle Trent Williams, who has since found his way to the Niners. Once again, contract troubles have emerged for Williams, and trade rumors are swirling around him. Davis knows why the rumors have popped up, but he believes San Francisco needs to keep Williams in town.
“I think when you have a guy like Trent Williams … it doesn’t matter how old he gets, he’s still playing at a high level, he’s few and far between,” Davis said to Heavy on 49ers. “You don’t wake up and find a guy like Trent Williams on your team. (A guy like him) comes around like once every 40, 50 years. I just think, a guy like him, you try to keep him. You understand his value, what he brings, and try to make room for him when it comes to the numbers.”
As for something that will make 49ers fans happy, the team went out and made a splash signing in free agency when they landed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans. While San Fran isn’t exactly short on playmakers, having a de facto No. 1 wide receiver in 2026 should help the offense out greatly. Given the impact he had in the passing game throughout his career, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Davis is a fan of this move.
“I thought that was genius by them to go after Mike Evans, because they need a wide receiver, they need that playmaker who can step in and get things done for them,” Davis said of Evans. When it comes to the passing game … I think he’s a great fit for the 49ers organization.”
And yet, the offseason is still young, meaning there’s quite a bit of work for the front office to still do. Davis isn’t privy to the inner workings of the team’s front office, but he has a couple of needs he’d like to see the team fill. “You can always go after corners and safeties. I think that really will enhance their team for sure,” Davis opined. “Or maybe … go after another tight end. I would get another tight end in the draft somewhere just to complement George (Kittle).”
Vernon Davis Set to Appear on Season 7 of ‘Rock the Block’
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 07: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after scoring a touchdown as Justin Durant #52 of the Dallas Cowboys is near in the first half at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Some guys slow down when they retire from the NFL, but Davis is not part of that category. His latest endeavor will see him compete on Season 7 of “Rock the Block,” a home renovation competition series that airs on HGTV. Over the past decade, Davis has become increasingly involved in the world of real estate, with that interest drawing him to compete on the latest season of the popular TV series.
“For the last 11 years, I’ve been buying homes, flipping them. Sometimes, I buy homes, rent them out. So this show was definitely a space that I’m familiar with,” Davis revealed. “It was something that I figured I’d take part in and see how it went, and I feel like I gained a new skill. I met some wonderful people and also fell in love with the world of renovation and design.”
As part of this competition, Davis was paired up with real estate expert and HGTV personality Mina Starsiak Hawk. All eyes will be on this duo to see how they fare, but it seems like Davis enjoyed his time working with Starsiak Hawk, saying, “I couldn’t have picked a better partner … She is just a great human.”
Ever the competitor, Davis isn’t looking to just appear on “Rock the Block.” He wants to win the entire competition. And as he looks to establish himself in yet another industry, it’s clear just how important this new adventure is for Davis. “It would mean the world to come into this industry and be able to make a name right away,” he said. “That would mean everything for my friends, family, and just people who are rooting for me.”
The seventh season of Rock the Block premieres on April 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV. Fans can also stream past seasons on HBO Max and discovery+. Viewers can follow updates on HGTV’s digital platforms at HGTV.com and on social media using #RocktheBlock.