Trent Williams used holdout to get needed ‘security’ entering Year 15 in the NFL

Sep 4, 2024, 8:24 AM

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 5: Trent Williams #71 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

At long last, the 49ers and Trent Williams have put pen to paper on a new deal. And it comes with some much needed financial security.

The San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro left tackle is back with the team after agreeing to a three-year, $82.66 million restructured contract. That includes $48 million fully guaranteed, with $25.69 million coming up front in a signing bonus. A whole lot of money to paying a player right before Week 1 kicks off next Monday for SF, especially after forking over the bag for Brandon Aiyuk a few days prior.

But as I wrote last week: If there was one player that earned his money on the 49ers, it’s Trent Williams. Now equipped with a new pile of cash, the 36-year-old future Hall-of-Famer can focus solely on football.

“Just security,” Trent Williams stated when asked about his main motives for holding out. “It’s a volatile league, guys of my stature, my age, I thought security was important.”

49ers, LT Trent Williams restructure three-year, $82.66M deal, includes $48M fully guaranteed. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/j1JEOeOcOg

— NFL (@NFL) September 3, 2024

And no, it wasn’t because he wanted to miss training camp (well, maybe just a little). Williams made it abundantly clear that this contractual standoff was purely financial. Which, now that the dust has settled, makes it even more fascinating.

The Texas native had three years remaining on his previous contract, set to make around $77 million by 2026. The problem: No guarantees.

In the end, Trent Williams gets that security he was looking for, essentially locking in a fully-guaranteed deal for two of the three years. Of course, he’d want it all to be backed with insurance. But that’s not how the NFL works, and it’s especially not how the 49ers do business.

The key to this deal getting done was finding that sweet spot for both player and organization, hence the prolonged talks into the regular season. But even Williams will admit that the standoff on longer than expected.

“We had conversations. Obviously, I didn’t think it’d get this drawn out, but this is a very intricate contract restructure,” Williams explained. “So it took time to get to where both sides felt like it’s a win, win.”

Kyle Shanahan beyond happy to see Trent Williams back 🤝

🎥: @AnthonyTVSports pic.twitter.com/Fh5nryNTBW

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 3, 2024

He would go on to explain the other variables at play over the offseason, with fellow 49ers’ contract talks spilling into training camp (Brandon Aiyuk).

Aiyuk’s hold-in with the 49ers took priority for a majority of the offseason, given the circumstances. Trent Williams knew that was a possibility, maintaining a good rapport with the front office throughout his holdout. It wasn’t cheap however, costing him $5.4 million in mandatory fines while he stayed home in Texas.

But sometimes in battle, you have to spill a little blood for both sides to reach a resolution.

“It’s kind of war. Both sides are going to lose a little blood, you know, wave the white flag in the end, both signed a little peace treaty and we’re good,” he said with his ever-beaming smile.

Not all players in the NFL are willing to do that though. Take Aiyuk for example.

The 49ers’ star wide receiver stayed off the practice field for as long as he possibly could before the team drew a line in the sand last week. If you aren’t going to practice, then you aren’t getting paid, and you will be fined. That final nudge of pressure pushed Aiyuk back to the table to ink his deal.

Williams was the opposite, unafraid to spend a few bucks to make a whole brinks’ truck worth in the end.

But, that also goes back to stature.

Entering Year 15 in the NFL, Williams has been the best left tackle in football for more than a decade. Since being traded to the 49ers in 2020, he’s had his best years, making All-Pro three consecutive seasons.

The player can say it was strictly money talk; It’s about respect as well. And after seeing up-and-coming star tackles in Tristan Wirfs and Penei Sewell get theres, Williams was making damn sure he got his too.

“I’m not going to lie to you: Yeah, it had something to do with respect,” he paused then stated. “I mean, it originally started by just saying, ‘Hey, I just want what’s already on paper, that’ll be my security enough’. But, like I said, intricate.”

But he also understands the business side of football as well, and the sacrifices it takes to win.

“I was under contract until I’m 38, so it’s hard to ask somebody to guarantee a eight-figure salary when I’m 38 and I get that,” Trent Williams explained. “I feel like, in my heart of hearts, I’ll be the same player. And I feel like I work hard enough that I can keep that brand of football the same. But I understand, I’ve been around long enough to where I get both sides of it, so I didn’t take that as disrespect.”

As for why Mr. Williams feels confident he’ll be as good in two years as he is now? Preparation.

After half-heartedly contemplating retirement following the 2022 NFC Championship game loss, Williams found himself hungry to return to the field mere weeks later. He would share his love of the football grind with the media, explaining that he would work out at 2 a.m. during the offseason in order to get a competitive edge on the competition.

While this year’s return to the 49ers didn’t reveal any further saucy workout regiments, his hunger for the game is still apparent. As long as he can keep up the pace, knowing when to push and when to recover, Williams has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Age is just a number after all, and the man nicknamed Silverback has his sights set on 40.

“Imma play as long as I can. As long as I feel like I’m a productive player, as long as I feel like I have something to offer, I’m going to play football,” Trent Williams said.

Please enjoy 2:30 of 49ers Trent Williams completely dominating NFL defenders pic.twitter.com/TooxRI4iLj

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) September 4, 2024