A former Seahawks Super Bowl champ just put a giant spotlight on San Francisco 49ers star left tackle Trent Williams, and it couldn’t come at a louder time.
On Marshawn Lynch’s “Get Got” podcast, ex-Seattle defensive star Michael Bennett went on an offensive line rant and dropped a line that will get repeated all weekend: Bennett said Williams is “probably the last great offensive lineman,” while arguing the position as a whole has “regressed” around the league.
The timing is spicy because the 49ers head to Seattle to face a defense that has lived in the backfield all season.
Michael Bennett’s Trent Williams Take Lands Differently With Seattle Up Next
Bennett’s larger point was simple: elite offensive linemen feel rarer now, and he specifically singled out Williams as the standard-bearer, the guy still holding the line (literally) while the position changes around him.
That’s not just talk-radio fluff either. Williams, 37, is still stacking awards. He was named Second-Team AP All-Pro for the 2025 season, and the 49ers highlighted the honor as part of their All-Pro haul.
And Williams is not just “still good.” Reuters noted he’s a 12-time Pro Bowl selection with 203 career starts, and he’s remained a centerpiece of San Francisco’s offense whenever he’s on the field.
The Key Update: Williams Is Cleared to Play
The other reason Bennett’s line is catching traction: Williams’ health has been a real storyline.
Williams missed the regular-season finale vs. Seattle with a hamstring injury, returned for the Wild Card round, and now appears set to go again. Seattle’s official divisional-round injury report stated the 49ers “will have left tackle Trent Williams,” after he returned last week.
Trent Williams vs. a Seahawks Front That’s Been Nasty All Year
If you want the matchup in one sentence: Trent Williams vs. Seattle’s pressure.
Seattle finished the regular season allowing an NFL-best 17.2 points per game (292 total) and posted 47 sacks, a rare combo of scoring dominance and pass-rush production.
Other big stats that Williams will be able to combat:
- Seahawks defense (2025): 17.2 points allowed per game (NFL-best), 285.9 yards allowed per game, 47 sacks, 18 INT, 73 hurries.
- 49ers offense protection: San Francisco was sacked 27 times in 2025 (one of the lower totals in the league).
- 49ers season context: 12–5 record, 25.7 points per game.
So yes, San Francisco generally protects its QB well. But Seattle’s front has made life miserable even when it’s not finishing with a sack, and that’s where Williams becomes the swing factor on Brock Purdy’s blind side.
Game Info and One More Injury Twist
The matchup is set for Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Lumen Field on FOX.
One more wrinkle: the 49ers are dealing with defensive injuries, including Fred Warner ruled out. The 49ers did get good news, however, when starting WR Ricky Pearsall said he’s confident he’ll play. That only cranks up the pressure on the offense to stay on schedule, which brings us right back to Bennett’s point.
If Trent Williams really is the “last great” at his position, Saturday night is exactly the kind of stage where he can prove it.
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