After an eventful offseason of injuries and contract holdouts, it appears the San Francisco 49ers and All-World offensive tackle Trent Williams have agreed to terms on a restructured deal. Naturally, that is not great news for the rest of the NFL community, as Williams was San Francisco’s final remaining holdout of 2024.
According to Williams’ professional representation (Elite Loyalty Sports), the 11-time Pro Bowler arrived in the Bay Area on Tuesday morning to sign a restructured contract with the 49ers. The new deal will bring Williams back for his fifth season with San Francisco.
Of course, Williams has been designated as an NFL First-team All-Pro in each of the past three campaigns. Not only has he been the top offensive linemen amongst the 49ers’ ranks, but largely the best in the entire league.
Per Pro Football Focus, “Silverback” has averaged a 93.15 overall player grade since being traded to S.F. from Washington. Throughout that same span, he’s surrendered only five sacks.
News of Williams rejoining the 49ers comes at a critical time for the NFL franchise from Northern California. Not only is opening night against the New York Jets less than a week away, but the Oklahoma alum’s contract restructure comes on the heels of a rollercoaster week for San Francisco.
Last Saturday, San Francisco wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in an attempted robbery. Fortunately, Pearsall — who took a non-fatal bullet to the chest — was released from San Francisco General Hospital on Sunday. Notably, Pearsall is the 49ers’ most recent first-round draftee; the team will officially be without him for the first four games of 2024.
Prior to Pearsall’s tragedy in Union Square, S.F. solved the jigsaw puzzle that was WR Brandon Aiyuk‘s extension. As of last Thursday, Aiyuk is staying in the Bay Area on a four-year, $120 million deal that begins in 2025.
Considering general manager John Lynch’s work over the past seven days, perhaps no one is more thrilled than 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. No, Purdy did not crack Playboy’s “5 Buzziest Quarterbacks Entering 2024-25” list, but the Iowa State alum is much more formidable with Williams on the field.
On Tuesday morning, the details of Williams’ reworked contract have yet to be released. Back in 2021, Williams inked a six-year, $138 million extension with the 49ers. At the time, it made him the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Editor’s update: According to Elite Loyalty Sports, Williams and San Francisco have agreed to a restructured three-year, $82.66 million deal with signing incentives.
Genuinely, Williams’ football journey is quite unique. An East Texas native, Williams was a star on the gridiron from a young age. His talents were enough to be recruited by the Oklahoma Sooners and head coach Bob Stoops. With his combination of size, strength, speed and athleticism, Williams quickly became a fan favorite at OU.
The 6-foot-5 tackle was selected fourth overall by Washington at the 2010 NFL draft. He produced nine stellar seasons in burgundy and gold before “Big Trent” demanded a trade. Williams has publicly aired his grievances against the franchise that drafted him, citing a mishandling and lack of urgency from the team’s medical personnel in regards to a cancerous growth on his scalp.
As alluded to, the 49ers will commence the upcoming regular season in primetime this Monday (Sep. 9) versus the Jets. With Williams rejoining the Niners, San Francisco has moved from a 3.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook to a 4.5-point favorite against New York. Further out, the 49ers carry +250 odds to win the next NFC title and +600 odds to win Super Bowl LIX.