Much has been made about the contract dispute between the San Francisco 49ers and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams. While the future for both remains uncertain, there are some who believe that a return to the Bay Area for Williams makes the most sense.
ESPN insider Nick Wagoner is of the belief that the Niners will end up signing Williams to a re-worked contract. He noted that if the team were to trade him, they’d have to eat over $30 million in dead money, which is not something that any team wants.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Need Trent Williams Back
GettyTrent Williams will be entering his 17th NFL season.
Here is what Wagoner had to say specifically about why he believes Williams returning to the Niners on a re-worked contract seems likely:
“The 49ers don’t have an obvious replacement in-house and could still carry Williams on the roster at that number without feeling much of a cap crunch. If they traded him, they’d have to eat more than $34 million in dead money with a cap saving of less than $5 million. Williams’ age (he’ll be 38 in July) makes this tricky, but there is no good football or financial reason for the Niners to move on from him, which is why they’ll figure it out.”
As Wagoner noted, there simply isn’t a good enough reason for the franchise to move on from the future Hall of Fame blindside protector. Keep in mind that he has started 203 career games out of the 204 overall that he has played in. His consistency is what makes him one of the best overall players in the league. Losing him would decrease the chances of this Super Bowl-caliber roster winning the big game, which they haven’t won since 1994.
Another Offseason, Another 49ers Contract Dispute
GettyThe 49ers are likely to move on from wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason.
As many football fans in Northern California may know, this dispute with Williams is not the first contract issue to take place between the organization and a star player in recent years. Furthermore, paying the player has not always worked out well for the organization.
Back-to-back 1,000-yard wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the organization were finally able to agree to terms on a four-year extension worth $120 million after months of squabbling leading up to the 2024 season. However, as GM John Lynch noted earlier this offseason, Aiyuk has played his final snap as a member of the team.
Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy was ultimately able to sign a five-year extension with the organization this past offseason that is worth $265 million. However, despite the team winning 12 games in the regular season in 2025, Purdy played in just nine games due to injury.
Paying great players in the NFL tends to be a leap of faith because no executive can predict what the future will hold. Whether an injury takes place or play declines, the player doesn’t always prove the front office right. In his late-30s, Williams deserves to be paid. But it has its fair share of risks.
Insider Expects 49ers to Sign Trent Williams to Re-Worked Contract: Report