The 49ers have reached a resolution to the latest contract saga with future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams.
The 12-time Pro Bowler’s agency ‘Elite Loyalty Sports’ announced on Monday that Williams and the 49ers had come to terms on a new two-year, $50 million deal.
Williams’ new contract includes $37 million fully guaranteed and a $22 million signing bonus, making the 37-year-old the first non-QB in NFL history to surpass $400 million in contracts and $225 million in guarantees.
The three-time first-team All-Pro was set to enter free agency in 2027, but was poised to go into 2026 on the final year of a contract featuring no guaranteed money. At the same time, he was due a $32.21 million base salary and a cap hit of $46.34 million, numbers the 49ers were clearly keen to lower.
That combination of factors led to an impasse between the two parties, with reports emerging in February that the 49ers and Williams were “struggling to find a contractual solution”.
It was subsequently reported that the 49ers were open to trading Williams, though that never seemed a likely outcome.
Indeed, 49ers GM John Lynch moved to immediately calm fears of a potential parting of ways, insisting at the NFL Combine that the Niners and Williams were on the “same page” in negotiations.
His confidence has ultimately been vindicated. While full details of the contract are still be revealed, Williams is getting his wish in terms of guaranteed money, and he will now carry a lower cap hit in 2026.
With Williams essentially signing a one-year extension, he is now signed through his age-39 season. Williams is previously on record in stating his desire to play to age 40.
How does Trent Williams’ new contract impact the 49ers’ draft plans?
The 49ers have shown interest in several offensive tackle prospects during the pre-draft process, bringing Utah’s Caleb Lomu, Max Iheanachor of Arizona State and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor in for top-30 visits.
San Francisco has a strong track record of drafting players brought in for such visits since Kyle Shanahan and Lynch assumed their respective roles in 2017.
And eventually the 49ers will need to find an heir apparent for Williams.
But, for the time being, both tackle spots are locked down, with Colton McKivitz displaying continued improvement at right tackle.
It is difficult to see the 49ers drafting a tackle in the first round and then wasting the first year of their rookie contract by having them sit on the bench. With Williams’ future secured, it appears likely that, if the Niners are to select his successor this year, then they will initially have to play guard.
Both Lomu and Iheanachor could potentially move inside to start their NFL career. However, with Williams now under contract until 2028, it would seem counter productive to ask a rookie to spend two seasons playing one position before moving back to the outside.
The 49ers could still add to their offensive line depth in the draft but, as it pertains to the first round, all signs point to wide receiver.
