Could 49ers’ Trent Williams hit free agency? Sides working through contract situation
A stellar six-year streak for left tackle Trent Williams with the San Francisco 49ers could be in danger of coming to an end. With Williams expected to carry a $39 million cap hit in 2026, he and the 49ers are engaged in negotiations but are struggling to find a contractual solution to the considerable impact he will have on the team’s payroll next season, according to ESPN. If the teams cannot find common ground, Williams could become a free agent this offseason.
The 49ers want to keep their star tackle in town despite the reported impasse, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. John Lynch, the team’s general manager, actually said it Tuesday at the NFL Combine.
“Over the last few weeks I have met with Trent and his agent, Vincent Taylor, and had some very good, productive and substantive meetings,” Lynch said. “Here’s what I know. Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner. It’s up to us to figure that out and thread that needle.
“There are some unique circumstances in the sense that we all know what Trent is as a player and what a great player he’s been. He’s going to be 38, so there are some things that come into play. But I think we’re all on the same page and we’re very positive about where this is going.”
Trent Williams landing spots: 49ers star reportedly has plenty of suitors among Super Bowl contenders
Zachary Pérels
A release before June 1 would save the 49ers $4.7 million in cap space. If they were to release him after that date, they would save $15.5 million this year – although it would require them to spread his dead cap over the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Williams, a five-time All-Pro honoree and 12-time Pro Bowler, is reportedly among the most sought-after players in the 2026 free agent class. Even entering his age-38 season, the veteran tackle remains a premier blindside protector with potentially several more years in the tank. He said last offseason that he “would love to play until he’s 40.”
The 49ers and Williams agreed in September 2024 to a restructured three-year deal that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL that season.
One of the few accolades Williams has left to add to his resume is that of Super Bowl champion. Staying with the 49ers should allow him to achieve that goal, but his large cap hit could also limit San Francisco’s ability to surround him with enough talent to compete in a loaded NFC West. The 49ers earned a wild card spot in 2025 despite finishing third in the division at 12-5. With two Super Bowl appearances and two conference championship game berths since 2019, the 49ers are knocking on the door of a title. Losing one of the best tackles in the NFL without getting anything in return would be a huge blow in that quest.
Williams joined the 49ers in 2020 via a trade with the Washington Commanders. The former No. 4 overall pick spent the first decade of his career in Washington and was a perennial Pro Bowler. He took his game to the next level upon arriving on the West Coast, earning three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors and a second-team selection in 2025.
