Retirement speculation ramped up recently in the case of 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. However, he quelled doubts about his immediate playing future on Saturday.
When asked whether or not he would continue to suit up for San Francisco, the veteran said, “yeah, for sure. Next year, the year after. I’m under contract until I’m 39 [years old],” via Grant Gordon of NFL.com.
Williams, 34, recently finished his third year with the 49ers following a decorated stint in Washington. He maintained his elite level of play in 2022, playing in 14 regular-season games and earning a PFF grade over 90 for the third straight campaign and fifth overall. While the analytics website graded his performance in the postseason poorly, Williams can still be considered a foundational piece of the 49ers offense now and in the future.
The former first-rounder extended his Pro Bowl streak to 10 seasons in 2022 and earned first-team All-Pro honors for the second consecutive year. Williams has been as advertised in San Francisco, with whom he remains on the books due to the six-year, $138M contract he signed in 2021. His salary ($19.4M) and cap hit ($27.2M) in 2023 are the lowest figures remaining on that pact.
The Oklahoma alum is one of several core players the 49ers already have in place as the offseason approaches. They have a number of questions to answer with respect to their pending free agents, however, which leaves the future of starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey in the air at least for the time being. Williams committing to play in 2023 alleviates some of the uncertainty the team is facing up front.
From a health perspective, Williams appeared to be in better shape when speaking at Pro Bowl weekend compared to when his remarks sparked retirement talk. He was on crutches and in a walking boot two days after the 49ers’ loss to the Eagles in the NFC title game, but needed neither of those aides today. With his intentions for at least the immediate future clear, he and San Francisco can move forward with their preparations for the offseason knowing the status quo will remain intact along the blindside.
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