The San Francisco 49ers still have one huge domino to fall ahead of next Monday’s season opener against the New York Jets: Sign the best left tackle in football. Trent Williams has not reported to practice and has not been around the team facility since training camp began.
That could change before the Niners take the practice field on Tuesday. Fred Williams, Trent’s brother, posted to his story overnight a picture of Trent boarding a flight with the caption, “Year 15 let’s get it!” with four emojis:
#49ers are scheduled to practice tomorrow and Trent Williams brother, Fred Williams posted to his story of what appears to be Trent boarding a late night flight with caption:
“year 15 let’s get it! ”
Could this mean we could be getting Trent Williams news soon? ️ ️ pic.twitter.com/PV1Flp5S2q
— (@TheSFNiners) September 3, 2024
If that’s not the sign of a revised contract on the way, I’m not sure what is. Multiple national reporters piggybacked Brad’s post.
Kyle’s update, 1:48 p.m. PT: Per Williams’ agency, his 3-year contract extension is worth $82.66 million, including $48 million at the time of signing with a $25.69 million signing bonus.
That is the most cash for any linemen in Year 1 and the most guaranteed money for any linemen since 2021. Williams will now surpass $350.8 million in career earnings, and his $183 million in total guarantees make him the richest non-quarterback in NFL history.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted the same video, saying, “11-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Trent Williams and the 49ers are trying to finalize a deal, per league sources. Williams returned to the Bay Area last night, according to his brother. A deal appears to be close.”
Thanks, Adam.
Flight details showed a plane leaving William P. Hobby Airport, an International Airport in Houston, Texas, at 2:08 a.m. CT and landing in San Jose at 3:34 a.m. PT.
Per Williams’s agency, he is indeed headed to the Bay Area to sign a new contract:
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted, that Trent’s agent said via text, “Still A few things to work through but close enough to report today.”
Williams getting a new deal without having to partake in training camp is the best-case scenario for him. It never felt like there was an outcome that didn’t involve Trent getting his money. He’s too valuable to the 49ers; everybody in the building knows that.
Now, we await the final word on his new deal and how much money it’s worth. That’ll be the last chapter of an offseason that had plenty of storylines for a team that knows how to keep our attention.