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San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams acknowledged that the contract he signed in April could be the last of his stellar career.
Williams said he is committed to completing the two-year, $50 million contract that runs through the 2027 season, but later said he would likely retire at age 39.
“It’s scary. It’s scary,” Williams said Wednesday at his first news conference since signing the deal. “I’m toying with the idea of going until I can’t anymore or just leaving while I still have a good product left and not being left without the league.”
Williams talked about wanting to spend more time with his children, saying his oldest daughter was born just a few months before he was drafted by Washington in 2010 and will soon be heading to college.
“As a parent, you feel like, ‘Dang, I missed her her whole life into adulthood,'” Williams said. “When she goes to college in a couple of years, I want to be there and be approachable. I don’t want to be that parent following a kid around. I want to be around. I don’t want to be somewhere in a joint practice when it’s time for her to move to school, and things like that. There are little things I have to think about.”
Williams didn’t completely close the door on playing until age 40 or older, but he said this was likely his final contract.
The deal includes $37 million fully guaranteed and a $22 million signing bonus, and came together much more easily than the previous deal he signed with the 49ers. Williams sat out training camp in 2024 before signing a three-year, $82.3 million contract.
This one arrived without any obstacles or drama.
“I think it took a weight off everyone’s shoulders, but honestly, it wasn’t as stressful this time,” he said. “Everything was pretty much how I expected it to be. Obviously, there was a little pushback on both sides, but for the most part we both knew what we wanted to do. We’re looking at pretty similar things for the future, so it was pretty easy to get through.”
Williams’ attention now turns to the season, which became a little more difficult this week with the news that the rival Los Angeles Rams traded for two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Garrett set an NFL record last season with 23 sacks, including one in a matchup last season against the Niners, which led to Williams’ not-so-enthusiastic reaction to news of the deal.
“Just like everyone else,” Williams said. “Everyone not in Rams country… It sucks.”
Williams should get his first chance to see Garrett in a Rams uniform in the season opener in Melbourne, Australia, when the 49ers take on Los Angeles.
“The scary thing is he’s still a young player. He’s still going to get better,” Williams said. “I know it’s scary after seeing what he did last year. I never expect to meet the same player. I know we’ll see him in Week 1 in Australia. He’ll probably be a little better than the last time I saw him. I just have to buckle up. It’s going to be tough. I’m not the only one who has to block him. There are 31 other teams that got the same news, so it is what it is.”
Williams continues to play at a high level. He is coming off his 12th Pro Bowl season, the most for any offensive tackle, and is two away from tying Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews’ record for an offensive lineman.
Williams made three consecutive All-Pro teams from 2021-23 before being hampered by injuries in 2024. He was healthy for most of last season, playing in 16 games for the first time since 2013.
Associated Press information.
