Trent Williams’ holdout has officially ended after 40 days, as the San Francisco 49ers and their standout left tackle reached an agreement on a restructured three-year, $82.66 million contract. The deal includes $48 million guaranteed at signing, a $25.69 million signing bonus, and makes Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman this season with $27.65 million.
Williams returned to the Bay Area early Tuesday morning and participated in a brief practice session at Levi’s Stadium, followed by a 15-minute press conference with local reporters. When asked about the purpose of his holdout, Williams stated that his main goal was to seek “security.” Although he had three years remaining on his previous contract, it lacked additional guaranteed money.
“I didn’t expect it to take this long, but these negotiations can be complicated,” he mentioned. Williams characterized the situation as a “restructure,” rather than a dispute, expressing that both sides felt they reached a mutually beneficial agreement.
The key issue was determining appropriate compensation for Williams, who remains one of the top players in his position at age 36. Initially, he aimed for the 49ers to guarantee the remaining amounts on the six-year, $138.1 million contract he signed in 2021. He also noted that he wanted to be respected in terms of salary, as he was no longer the league’s highest-paid tackle.
These discussions started during the team’s June minicamp, but Williams anticipated it would take some time, given that the 49ers had other priorities, including contract extensions for running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Despite Williams’ absence, 49ers General Manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence that an agreement would eventually be reached. The uncertainty surrounding how much longer Williams planned to play made negotiations more challenging.
Williams acknowledged the difficulty of asking for guarantees on a substantial salary at the age of 38, expressing understanding from both sides of the negotiation. He emphasized that his goal is to demonstrate that he can continue to perform at an elite level, despite the concerns that come with age.
While he has contemplated retirement in the past, Williams has stated his desire to play until he’s 40. Since joining the 49ers via trade in 2020, he has been well managed by Shanahan, receiving regular days off to help cope with the demands of the season. The team’s success in recent years has further required him to adapt to longer seasons than during his time in Washington.
Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowler, affirmed his commitment to playing as long as he feels productive. He referenced former NFL player Andrew Whitworth, who won a Super Bowl at 41, and expressed a desire to break barriers regarding age and performance in his position.
In the 2023 season, Williams was recognized as the best pass-blocking tackle in the NFL, boasting a remarkable 95.8% pass block win rate. The 49ers’ rushing attack has thrived behind Williams, averaging over six yards per carry when rushing to the left.
During his absence, Williams missed two games and played limited snaps in another, contributing to a challenging start for the team, which was 0-4 without him compared to a 12-1 record with him in the lineup. His return is seen as crucial for the team’s offensive line, which has faced injuries to key players.
Williams expressed that his holdout was a challenging experience, but he ultimately longed for the camaraderie and leadership aspects of training camp. He likened the negotiation process to “war,” but concluded with a sentiment of peace and readiness to rejoin his teammates.
With current issues on the offensive line, Williams’ return comes just in time. He is expected to reclaim his starting left tackle position swiftly, looking forward to contributing to the team’s success.