All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams reported to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday and agreed to a restructured three-year, $82.66 million deal that includes $48 million at signing, ending a protracted holdout.
The move apparently comes in time for Williams to take the field Monday night against the New York Jets for the start of the regular season.
The 49ers gave their star left tackle a $25.69 million signing bonus and will pay him $27.65 million this season, according to his agency, Elite Loyalty Sports. His annual average salary of $27.55 million will be third-highest among offensive linemen.
Breaking down the numbers
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An end to the standoff comes days after the team reached a four-year, $120 million contract agreement with Brandon Aiyuk. The wide receiver reported to training camp to avoid accruing daily fines permitted under terms of the CBA but staged a “hold in,” refusing to participate in practices and on-field work to avoid the risk of injury.
Williams, a first-team All-Pro each of the past three seasons, made it clear to the 49ers he wasn’t suiting up for San Francisco without an adjustment to his existing contract. He was entering the fourth season of a six-year, $138.06 million deal and was due $74.76 million the next three seasons. But none of the salary in the second half of his contract was guaranteed, prompting the 36-year-old veteran to stay home at the start of training camp.
“I didn’t think that it would get this drawn out, but it’s a tough business and this was a very intricate contract,” Williams told reporters. “I wouldn’t call it a dispute but restructure. It took time to get to where both sides feel like it’s a win-win.”
Williams plays a vital role at left tackle, protecting the blind side of quarterback Brock Purdy and using his power to blast open running lanes for running back Christian McCaffrey.
Before reporting Tuesday, Williams was due to carry a cap figure of $31.6 million for 2024.
“For lack of a better word, it’s kind of war,” Williams said of negotiations. “Both sides going to lose a little blood but wave the white flag at the end. We both signed a little peace treaty. We good.”
He was placed on the Did Not Report list by the 49ers on July 25. The 49ers will need to make a corresponding roster move to add Williams back to the roster move before the Monday game.
Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, is entering his fifth season with San Francisco, which gave up third- and fifth-round picks to acquire him from Washington.
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection in nine campaigns with Washington, Williams sat out the entire 2019 season as part of a dispute with Washington over the handling of his health and injury issues, including a rare form of cancer, and his contract.
“I’m going to play as long as I can,” Williams said, “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 want to play football. That’s all I’ve done since the second grade.”
–Field Level Media
