The San Francisco 49ers are finalizing a new contract with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, ending a prolonged holdout that saw the 11-time Pro Bowler miss the entirety of training camp. Williams, 36, is expected to return to the team in time for their season opener against the New York Jets on Monday night.
Williams’ agency, Elite Loyalty Sports, confirmed via social media that the three-time All-Pro was “headed to SF to finalize a new deal” with the 49ers. The move comes after social media posts from Williams’ brother showed the star lineman returning to the Bay Area on Monday night.
Williams had been absent from San Francisco’s training camp, accruing more than $4 million in fines for missing every practice and three preseason games. Despite the holdout, Williams remained in Houston, where he prepared for the upcoming season. Under his previous six-year, $138.1 million deal signed in 2021, he was set to earn $20.05 million this season.
The 49ers had left Williams off their 53-man roster last week, placing him on the reserve/did not report list. On Tuesday, the team created over $5.4 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contract of defensive lineman Maliek Collins, signaling that a deal with Williams was imminent.
Williams’ return is critical for the 49ers, who have faced offensive line challenges throughout the preseason. The team’s top three guards—Aaron Banks (broken pinkie), Spencer Burford (broken hand), and Jon Feliciano (knee surgery)—have all missed significant practice time. Feliciano is expected to miss regular-season games, leaving the 49ers thin at key positions.
Fourth-year veteran Jaylon Moore had stepped in at left tackle during Williams’ absence, but Williams is anticipated to quickly reclaim his starting role. Widely regarded as the NFL’s top offensive lineman, Williams’ performance is vital to the 49ers’ offensive success. In 2023, Williams ranked as the best pass-blocking tackle in the league with a 95.8% pass block win rate. Additionally, the 49ers averaged 6.05 yards per carry when rushing behind Williams to the left side last season, compared to 4.45 yards per attempt on all other rushing plays.
The deal with Williams marks the second significant contract restructuring by the 49ers this offseason. The team previously reconfigured Christian McCaffrey‘s contract in June, providing the star running back with substantial guarantees and increasing his average annual pay. The recent contract negotiations with Williams also followed the resolution of a contentious holdout with star receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who signed a four-year, $120 million extension last week.
Despite missing training camp, the 49ers remained confident that they would reach an agreement with Williams. Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism last week, stating, “I’m not sitting here knowing what day it’ll be, but I’m optimistic that things will work out with Trent.” The negotiations with Williams never escalated to the level of concern that surrounded Aiyuk’s situation, and the 49ers remained assured that the star left tackle would return to the team.
Williams’ new contract is expected to mitigate the fines he accrued during his holdout. Although the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement does not allow fines to be forgiven for players who are not on their rookie contracts, the restructured deal is likely to offset some of the financial penalties.
Beyond his physical abilities, Williams is a respected leader in the 49ers’ locker room. His presence is expected to boost the team’s confidence as they prepare for the upcoming season. Williams is known for his close relationships with both offensive and defensive players, including star pass rusher Nick Bosa, with whom he regularly discusses techniques.
With Williams and Aiyuk back in the fold, the 49ers are poised to be a formidable force in the NFL this season. Quarterback Brock Purdy will have a wealth of offensive weapons at his disposal, including Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Sr., Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and rookie Jacob Cowing. With Williams protecting his blind side, Purdy will have the support he needs to lead the 49ers’ offense effectively.
As the 49ers finalize their roster ahead of the season opener, Williams’ return is a crucial step in solidifying the team’s offensive line and maintaining their status as one of the top contenders in the NFL.