SouthernWorldwide.com – San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams has indicated that his most recent contract, signed in April, is likely to be the final one of his illustrious career.
Williams stated his commitment to fulfilling the terms of his two-year, $50 million deal, which extends through the 2027 season. He anticipates retiring at the age of 39, after the contract concludes.
“It’s scary. It’s scary,” Williams shared during his first news conference since the contract signing. He expressed a dilemma between playing until he physically cannot anymore or retiring while still performing at a high level, avoiding being “ran out the league.”
A significant factor influencing his decision is the desire to spend more quality time with his children. He reflected on how his eldest daughter, born shortly before he was drafted in 2010, is nearing college age.
“As a father, you feel like, ‘Dang, I kind of missed her whole life until adulthood,’” Williams revealed. He wants to be present and accessible when she starts college in a couple of years, aiming to be a close figure rather than a distant one.
While not completely ruling out playing beyond age 40, Williams reiterated that this contract is most probably his last. The deal includes $37 million in guaranteed money and a $22 million signing bonus.
This contract negotiation was notably smoother compared to his previous one with the 49ers. In 2024, Williams had sat out training camp before agreeing to a three-year, $82.3 million deal.
The recent agreement, however, was reached without any holdouts or significant drama. “I think it was a load off everybody’s shoulders, but honestly this time around wasn’t that stressful,” he commented.
Williams felt that both sides had a clear understanding of expectations, and despite some initial pushback, there was a mutual desire to reach an agreement. “We’re seeing things pretty similar for the future, so it was pretty easy to get through it,” he added.
With his contract situation settled, Williams’ focus has shifted to the upcoming season. The challenge for the 49ers has recently increased with the Los Angeles Rams acquiring two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Garrett set a new NFL record last season with 23 sacks, including one against the 49ers that Williams did not react to enthusiastically. “Same as everybody,” Williams said when asked about the news. “Everybody that’s not in Rams country. … It sucks.”
Williams is expected to face Garrett early in the season when the 49ers play the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, in the season opener. “The scary part is he’s still a young player. He’s still going to get better,” Williams remarked.
He acknowledged the daunting prospect of facing Garrett again, especially after his record-breaking season. “I know it’s scary after seeing what he did last year. I’m never expecting to run into the same player. I know that we see him Week 1 in Australia. He probably will be a little bit better than he was the last time I seen him.”
Williams emphasized the need to prepare for the challenge. “Just got to buckle up. It’s going to be tough. I’m not the only one that’s got to block him. There’s 31 other teams that got that same news, so it is what it is.”
Despite his age and considerations for retirement, Williams continues to perform at an elite level. He is coming off his 12th Pro Bowl selection, the most for any offensive tackle in NFL history.
He is also two Pro Bowl selections shy of tying Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews’ record for an offensive lineman. Williams earned three consecutive All-Pro selections from 2021 to 2023.
Although injuries hampered him in 2024, he was mostly healthy last season, playing in 16 games, a feat he had not accomplished since 2013.
