Trent Williams, Houston Texans
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Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
T
he San Francisco 49ers could be in for a nightmare this offseason. For the second season in a row, the 49ers are in a contract standoff with their star left tackle, Trent Williams. Last season, Williams wanted his contract to include guaranteed money, triggering a contract standoff. Now, Williams’ contract carries a massive cap number, something that the 49ers want lowered. Because of that, the teams are once again in a contract standoff only this time, it may not get a happy ending.
Despite playing at a high level for his age, Williams’ contract carries a cap number of nearly $40 million. And entering his age-38 season, the 49ers do not want to commit to that much for a player that age, which has led to Williams and the team to figure out yet another contract for 2026. But with free agency looming, and no deal imminent, the 49ers are open to trading the future Hall of Famer.
49ers Open to Trading Williams
Earning his 12th Pro Bowl and fifth All-Pro selection in ’25, there is no denying that Williams is still playing elite level football. But he is due $32 million in salary and carries a $38 million cap number, exceptionally high numbers for a team needing to get younger and cheaper in order to re-open their Super Bowl window. And while it initially appeared that the 49ers were confident a deal would get done, with general manager John Lynch speaking on Williams’ contract at the combine, the process has not been as smooth as intended, and the 49ers are now open to exploring a Williams trade if a new deal cannot be reached.
“The 49ers re now said to be open to trading Pro Bowl LT Trent Williams, sources say, if the situation doesn’t get resolved,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted. “A resolution has not been easy and Williams is frustrated with the process. He’s due $32M in salary with a $38M+ cap number.”
Nothing has been confirmed regarding any trades for Williams as of yet, but if the contract negotiations continue on the path they are going, keep an eye out on Williams as a player that could be on the move this offseason.
Williams’ Trade Value
There is no question that Williams would help any team that acquires him should a deal with the 49ers not come to fruition. But the real question becomes whether or not he will be able to come to terms on a fair contract with any new team he ends up on. According to NBC Sports’ Mike Florio, Williams faces the same contract issues with any new team he ends up that he is facing with the 49ers.
“The real question is whether, if they can’t find a trade partner, the 49ers will cut him. Any trade would require Williams to reach the kind of contract with a new team that he hasn’t been able to reach with the 49ers,” Florio wrote.
Regardless, Williams is still a premier left tackle in the NFL, even at his age, and if he is made available in a trade, expect plenty of teams to come calling.