Contract talks between the 49ers and left tackle Trent Williams were reportedly picking up steam in late March, but an agreement still has not come together. It hasn’t been for lack of effort on the 49ers’ part. Their most recent offer contains approximately $36MM in guarantees, including $24MM next season, Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reports.
As things stand, Williams is entering the final season of a three-year, $82.6MM pact. The 49ers declined a $10MM option bonus in March, leading to a major increase in Williams’ cap hit. He was already on track to count an untenable $38.84MM before then. The number now sits at a bloated $46.34MM. Williams is also owed around $33MM, though none of that is guaranteed.
While the 49ers want to lower Williams’ 2026 salary by about $9MM, La Canfora notes he would still rank among the 10 highest-paid tackles. The 12-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer has a case to earn more, but his age (38 in July) and injury history are working against him. Williams has not put together a full season since he was in Washington in 2013. Although he missed just one game during another highly effective year in 2025, Williams racked up multiple absences in each season from 2015-24.
League sources told La Canfora that the 49ers and Williams may find common ground “early this week.” If the stalemate continues, though, a trade or a release could eventually occur. The 49ers were reportedly open to trading Williams as of early March. There is still “legitimate” interest from other teams, per La Canfora. If he and the 49ers don’t hammer out a new pact in the next couple of weeks, perhaps a team that did not adequately upgrade at left tackle in the draft will kick the tires on a Williams trade.
For their part, considering the uncertainty surrounding Williams, the 49ers could target the position early in the draft. They made a modest free agent investment in Vederian Lowe, who spent most of last season as a reserve in New England. Austen Pleasants is also in the mix as a backup left tackle, but he and Lowe are big steps down from Williams.
If the 49ers cut or trade Williams between now and June 1, it would leave them with a $34.15MM dead cap hit and $12.19MM in savings. A post-June 1 divorce would save upward of $33MM in spending space in 2026. The 49ers would spread the dead cap over two years, taking a $13.33MM charge next season and a $20.83MM hit in 2027.
Pleasant was a pleasant surprise but he is not Trent Williams. If the 9ers don’t want him I hear K.C is ready to pounce because without Patrick M, whoever starts QB is going to need protection.
Trent Williams is 37 years old. It would surprise me if anyone offers more than a 2 year deal unless he stays with the 9ers.
Jason Peters was still playing at age 41 so Williams may still have some time left.
More like when Jason Peters played, he was effective. But he was no guarantee to be on the field with various injuries and age catching up to him.
KC needs about 33 million in cap space to aquire him. They aren’t even close to it.
Williams brings a lot to the table for San Fran, who really relies on him. That said, they have to be looking as much as they can for a replacement. Between his age and the constant contract renegotiations, they have to be looking for a backup plan for the long term.
You can’t just replace Trent Williams, but their effectiveness with him there is significantly higher than it would be without. Eventually, though, he’s going to be gone. Finding a successor is no small task, but you have to think that San Fran has got to be trying their damndest. If not, well…Purdy was a historically fantastic case of finding a long term guy in an unexpected place. It’ll hard to replicate that feat again. Williams is a tough guy lose, and perhaps a tougher guy to keep.
No one negotiates through the media like the 49ers
And they always preface the negotiations by saying how much they “love” the guy…lol.
Jerry disputes that notion!