Trent Williams, the star left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, has finally ended his holdout and agreed to a restructured three-year contract. The new deal guarantees him $48 million at signing and vaults him back up the positional pay ranking.
Williams expressed his relief at the resolution, stating that he didn’t expect the negotiations to be so drawn out. However, he acknowledged that contract restructures can be intricate and time-consuming. The specifics of the final structure are not yet available, but preliminary information suggests that the 49ers have cleared over $10 million in salary-cap space for 2024. This aligns with the team’s strategy of creating near-term room to roll over unused money into future years.
Thanks to Williams’ deal, along with extensions for receiver Brandon Aiyuk and contract restructures for receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and defensive tackle Maliek Collins, the 49ers now have over $60 million of cap space for 2024. While most of this will roll into the 2025 league year, it could also come in handy if the team decides to absorb a larger contract through an in-season trade.
The new contract for Williams is worth up to $82.7 million over three seasons, averaging out to $27.6 million per year. This places him among the highest-paid tackles in the NFL. Despite being 36 years old, Williams was willing to hold out and incur fines to secure a spot near the top of the market. He described the negotiation process as a “war,” with both sides losing a little blood before reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
There is some uncertainty regarding the fines Williams may face for his holdout. While he could potentially be fined up to $4 million, he will still come out on top financially. His new deal surpasses the maximum he could have earned on his old contract, and the Year 1 cash flow of $27.7 million more than covers any fines.
Williams expressed his commitment to continue playing until he’s 40 and to win Super Bowls beyond that. His new contract sets him up for a career earnings total of $358.8 million, the most ever for a non-quarterback. He’s motivated to live up to this contract and prove that he can continue to perform at an All-Pro level well into his late 30s.
Although it was difficult for Williams to be away from the 49ers’ facility, he returned just in time for the team’s first game-week practice. He missed the camaraderie of the locker room and the chance to interact with his teammates and coaches. Williams mentioned his first interaction with receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was recently shot during a robbery attempt but has already made his return to the team facility. Williams described Pearsall as a genuine person and said that his encounter with him compelled him to come back sooner.
Overall, the resolution of Trent Williams’ contract holdout is a significant development for the San Francisco 49ers. It not only solidifies their offensive line but also provides them with the financial flexibility to make moves in the future. Williams’ commitment to continue playing at a high level and his desire to win championships further bolster the team’s aspirations for success.