Williams, a 12-time Pro Bowler with a solid reputation for major league performances, has a less appealing history of financial difficulties at his employer. Years of inconsistency with Washington forced the 2020 draft day trade to San Francisco, where he received a revised contract nearly two months after the trade. After signing a massive extension in 2021, Williams held off training camp in 2024 in hopes of reaching a friendlier deal that paid him earlier in the season.
Williams got his wish just days before the start of the 2024 season, agreeing to a restructured three-year contract worth $82.66 million that included $48 million fully guaranteed at signing, a $25.69 million signing bonus and $27.6 million in salary in the first year of the deal. After missing seven games in 2024, Williams returned to elite status in 2025, earning his 12th Pro Bowl nod and a second-team All-Pro selection.
The downside to that payday, however, was the collective recognition that the third and final year of his contract would include a stiff cap number. At $38.8 million, Williams would account for more than 11 percent of the 49ers’ entire projected cap hit in 2026, according to Over The Cap .
For a 49ers team looking to build on a playoff run in 2025, it’s going to need as much cap space as possible.
A realignment is still possible, and Lynch didn’t seem overly concerned about the situation Tuesday.
“I’m not going to get into that. What I will say is we met with Vince today and I think we’re on the right track,” Lynch said. “I know this, he’s been a tremendous asset to our organization. We love having him. My hope, and I’ve shared this with Trent, is that his name is up there with the big teams that have played for the Niners because he certainly fits that category.”
The 49ers seem to know they shouldn’t be interested in parting ways with Williams, the third-best tackle in the NFL in 2025 (per Pro Football Focus). Williams will turn 38 in July, but still plays a vital role in his Super Bowl ambitions.
Williams’ history suggests he may dig deep to protect his earning power. The 49ers are no strangers to protracted negotiations, though (see: Brandon Aiyuk), and if both sides understand the potential of the short-term future, it’s fair to expect them to wrap things up before too long.
“It’s a unique situation where we all know what Trent is as a player,” Lynch said. “What a great player he’s been. He’s going to be 38 years old. So there’s something that plays into it. But I think we’re all on the same page and feeling very positive about where it’s going.”