Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams has decided to stay with the San Francisco 49ers and made NFL history in the process.
Williams’ agency Elite Loyalty Sports announced on Wednesday that their client agreed to a six-year deal with the 49ers. The contract is worth $138 million, making the 32-year-old veteran the highest-paid offensive lineman ever.
The agreement comes with $55.1 million in guarantees and a $30.1 million signing bonus for Williams.
Trent Williams spent the first 10 years of his career with the Washington Football Team, where he played 120 games and made seven Pro Bowls. Following the 2018 NFL season, Williams asked Washington to trade him following a dispute with the team’s medical staff.
After initially refusing to trade him, Washington sent Williams to the 49ers in exchange for a third-round pick ahead of the 2020 season. In San Francisco, Williams made a triumphant comeback, starting 14 games and earning another Pro Bowl nod.
Williams was widely considered the best free agent on the market this offseason and reportedly had discussions with multiple teams early in free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears made a strong run to sign him but eventually focused on other targets after the lack of progression in talks.
The 49ers, on the other hand, made Williams their priority in the offseason and wanted to keep him at all costs. After achieving this, the organization is now expected to turn to their other free agents like corner K’Waun Williams.
