Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
As he prepares for his 16th NFL season, San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams isn’t thinking about retirement. The 36-year-old never seriously considered stepping away this offseason — even after a difficult year both on and off the field.
Williams missed the final seven games of the 2024 season due to a left heel and ankle injury. More tragically, he and his family lost their son, Trenton Jr., who was stillborn on Nov. 24.
Despite it all, Williams was back on the field Tuesday for the start of the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp. Speaking with reporters afterward, he spent over 10 minutes answering questions, including one about how he found the strength to move forward after such a tough year.
Faith, Perspective, and Moving Forward
“It’s very difficult, but my road I’ve traveled has always been difficult,” Williams said. “Your faith has to get you through because there’s a lot of things that happen that humanly you don’t have the answer for it, you can’t make sense of. Second, it’s just to having the composure to know that life will throw you curveballs and no matter how hard things get for me or how hard things get for anybody else, you can find a situation where it’s worse.
“So, every day, thank God for being able to have air in my lungs. I know that that’s not promised and just keep moving forward knowing that what’s in the rearview is in the rearview. It may shape who you are going forward, but I don’t think you should let it linger and let it affect who you are going forward.”
Williams says he doesn’t dwell on the past. He believes in learning from it without letting it define him.
More Involved Than Usual
Williams usually doesn’t take part in much of the offseason program, but this year has been different. He’s been more involved at the team facility than in past years, taking part in individual drills during recent OTAs and again on Tuesday.
He plans to practice again Wednesday before the team wraps up offseason work. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the goal is to have Williams fully ready for training camp in July.
“He looks in shape, he’s healthy, he’s right where he needs to be,” Shanahan said. “It’s been good to get him here with two weeks of individual drills and things like that. … And he’ll be good to go in training camp.”
Williams confirmed he felt fully healed from his injury by February.
Contract Situation Doesn’t Bother Him
Last year, Williams and the 49ers went through a contract standoff that kept him out of training camp. The two sides eventually agreed to a restructured three-year deal worth $82.66 million, including $48 million guaranteed at signing.
Now, only two years remain on the deal, and neither has guaranteed money. His cap hits are $21.14 million in 2025 and $38.89 million in 2026, with $28.3 million in dead money on the books for 2027.
Still, Williams isn’t worried.
“It don’t concern me,” he said. “I’m taking everything one year at a time and I feel like if my play warrants more guaranteed [money] or a new year or two on the deal or whatever, then I’m here for it. If not, then you know, it might be time to sail on into the sunset. … I’m just going day by day; whatever happens is going to happen.”
Aiming to Play Into His 40s
Williams has said for years that he wants to play until he’s 40, if possible. He even talked to LeBron James about how to keep performing at a high level with age.
He turns 37 on July 19 and still doesn’t have a set retirement date. But one thing is clear: he won’t keep playing if he can’t meet his own standards.
“I would love to make it to that special group, but if it is not in my cards, it’s not in my cards,” Williams said. “I’m going to do everything physically possible. I’m going to stay engaged as you see my first time doing OTAs or even being in the offseason program for the first time in probably 10 years. … But that is a goal of mine. I’m definitely not going to retire with something left in the tank.”
No Plans to Walk Away With Gas Left in the Tank
Despite a rough 2024, Williams remains committed and focused.
“That is a goal of mine,” he said of playing into his 40s. “I’m definitely not going to retire with something left in the tank.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
