San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Trent Williams recently signed a two-year, $50 million contract through the 2027 season. The star blocker was asked if he sees the next two years as the last of his illustrious career.
“Yeah, probably,” he replied.
Entering his 17th NFL season, Williams officially stopped planning to retire after 2027.
“Obviously, I can’t tell the future,” Williams said, via ESPN. “I don’t know. I’m still a competitor. It’s hard not to compete when you can. So we’ll see.”
The 37-year-old said the idea of ending his career was a “scary” thought.
“It’s scary,” Williams said. “I’m toying with the idea of going until I can’t anymore and just going while I still have good product left and not finishing the league.”
“It’s been a long time, and I have a daughter who was born a few months before I went into training. I’m going into my 17th year. She’s going to be 17. As a father, you feel like, ‘Dang, I missed her whole adult life.'” … She [will] go to university in two years. I want to be there and be accessible and I don’t want to be that father who overshadows the kid. I want to be close. Do you know what I mean? I want to be close. I don’t want to be somewhere in a joint exercise.”
Williams remains the top left tackle when healthy. However, the injury is becoming a concern as he creeps toward 40. Even the smaller Trent is better than most fully healthy left tackles, but it will be a factor for the 49ers’ Super Bowl bust.
During Williams’ matchup with the club, the Niners’ lack of a viable backup gave the veteran some leverage. After the draft was adopted, it still lacks a clear long-term solution. San Francisco has two years to figure out a transition plan.