The San Francisco 49ers and left tackle Trent Williams, a 12-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most decorated offensive linemen of the past decade, remain well apart on a restructured contract as the 2026 offseason moves deeper into March.
San Francisco declined to exercise a $10 million option bonus in Williams’ deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, pushing his cap number close to $47 million. The team says it still plans to rework the contract before the NFL Draft.
But according to NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom, the two sides are nowhere near common ground, as reported by 49ers Webzone. The $47 million cap figure is now on the books, and no resolution has emerged.
A $47 Million Cap Hit Makes This Standoff San Francisco’s Most Pressing Offseason Problem
A source familiar with the negotiations told La Canfora:
“They aren’t anywhere close to a deal yet, and I don’t think anything happens unless the 49ers make a big move. Williams doesn’t have much motivation to play for anything less than the $33M in cash he is set to earn in 2026.”
San Francisco 49ers, Trent Williams, NFL, Spotrac
Dec 17, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Williams (71) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco wants his number closer to the $21.9 million he made in 2025.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #49ers and star Trent Williams remain far apart on a new deal, per @JasonLaCanfora
“I don’t think anything happens unless the 49ers make a big move. Williams doesn’t have much motivation to play for anything less than the $33M in cash he is set to earn in… pic.twitter.com/cGQqJSMYzv
— JPA (@jasrifootball) March 23, 2026
At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, GM John Lynch offered a measured public stance. Per ESPN, Lynch said:
“Trent loves being a Niner, we love having Trent as a Niner, and it’s up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle. There are some unique circumstances in that we all know what Trent is as a player, how great of a player he’s been. He’s going to be 38 years old and so there’s some things that go into that.”
San Francisco 49ers, Trent Williams
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Trent Williams (71) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Williams turns 38 in July. His age adds a layer of complexity to every number on the table.
His 2025 Pro Football Focus grades still ranked third overall among all NFL offensive linemen at 91.1, with a 92.0 run-blocking grade that placed him second at the position. His pass-blocking grade of 80.3 was his lowest since 2012, but the overall profile remains well above what any replacement could realistically offer.
The 49ers have no realistic left tackle replacement who can protect quarterback Brock Purdy at Williams’ level, making the cost of losing him significantly higher than any restructuring number being discussed.
Williams Refused to Play in Washington Before and Ended Up With a Far Better Deal
Williams has used this kind of standoff before. Before the 2019 season in Washington, he refused to report after contract talks broke down and sat out the entire year. The holdout produced results. Washington traded him to San Francisco in April 2020, where he signed a six-year, $138 million deal that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league at the time.
He pushed for a restructure again with the 49ers before the 2024 season and got that done, too.
Pro Football Rumors reported that one league source said nothing will happen until the 49ers are absolutely forced to act, while another source noted Williams has no real motivation to accept less right now.
Kyle Shanahan was asked about the situation at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles. Per NBC Sports Bay Area, Shanahan said:
“No updates from me. I actually stay pretty much out of that. I know John, and everyone’s working hard to do that. I believe they’ll get that done. We love Trent too much, and eventually that’ll work out.”
Neither side is close to blinking. If this stretches past the draft and into summer, the 49ers will carry a $47 million cap burden for a player whose contract situation remains unsettled, with no backup plan in place to protect their franchise quarterback.