On April 20, the San Francisco 49ers and Trent Williams agreed to a new two-year, $50 million contract extension that ties the veteran tackle to the Niners through the 2027 season, per the announcement from Elite Loyalty Sports.
Despite having Williams tied down through the 2027 season, the 49ers still have to start planning for life after the 37-year-old. With the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, San Francisco could look at prospects to develop behind Williams, then have them take over once this new contract expires.
The 49ers have been given two draft prospects to consider at No. 27. For CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt, he believes that former Miami Hurricanes tackle Markel Bell would be a player the Niners should consider.
“[Bell’s] tape was good, in my opinion, and it gives [the 49ers] a left tackle in waiting when you think about the eventual retirement of future Hall of Famer, Trent Williams,“ Hunt said on the April 21 edition of the “Ross Tucker Podcast.” “He’s built the same way, you know, can bully guys in the same way. I just say take him now. That’s what I would do.”
Meanwhile, football analyst Brett Kollmann believes that the Niners should consider drafting former Arizona State Sun Devil star Max Iheanachor.
“I favor Iheanachor here just because who better to learn under than Trent?“ Kollmann said in an April 22 video from “The Athletic Football Show.“ “He’s still new to football, and he’s already this good.
“Absolute freak of nature athlete. He’s going to go in the first round… I really don’t want to look at 2027 for this team in the future, where we’re potentially in a post-Trent world anyway, and they have no answers on the roster.”
Trent Williams Has Plenty of Gas Left In the Tank
Last season, Williams finished with a 91.5 overall PFF grade, ranking third among 89 qualified offensive tackles. He logged 996 offensive snaps over the course of the year.
In pass protection, he posted a 79.9 grade, which ranked 12th at the position. Moreover, Williams’ work in the run game was even more impressive, earning a 92.8 grade that placed him second among all offensive tackles.
He allowed 32 total pressures, including four sacks, eight quarterback hits, and was also penalized four times during the season.
49ers QB Brock Purdy Happy for Trent Williams’ Extension
As a result, 49ers QB Brock Purdy was than happy to have his veteran tackle back on the offensive line for this upcoming 2026 NFL season.
“I mean, Hall of Famer obviously for what he’s done for our team and for myself and just as a young guy, coming into the league and having his leadership, I’m extremely grateful for that guy,” Purdy said (h/t Nick Wagoner of ESPN). “More than anything, I know he’s got a lot left in his tank.
“So for him to come back and see that dude again, for our whole team, our locker room, what he brings to the table is real. And so for all of us, we’re fired up. So it’s going to be good getting him back. And like I said, he’s got a lot left. I know he’s going to have a chip on shoulder and go out and get a ring for him, his résumé and his career, and I want to help him do that.”
49ers Given 2 Draft Prospects as Potential Trent Williams Successor