Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
On Sunday, still amid a lengthy holdout, Trent Williams received a phone call. It was Kyle Shanahan, so the offensive tackle decided to answer, wondering what the San Francisco 49ers head coach had to say.
The two hadn't spoken in over two months, not since running back Christian McCaffrey's wedding, when negotiations were at their most distant. However, by last weekend, Shanahan had reached his breaking point. He couldn't envision sending quarterback Brock Purdy onto the field without Williams, his most trusted blocker, anchoring the left side. That wasn't how the 49ers wanted to start the season.
Williams, who considers Shanahan a close friend, reminded him of his commitment to the game while expressing the need for more financial security.
"You know the only way you are taking me off the field is on a stretcher," Williams told Shanahan. "I am fully committed to giving you all of my physical and mental being if you can provide the security I need off the field for my family."
Shortly after the conversation, the deal was finalized. Williams agreed to what he called a three-year, $82.66 million "peace treaty"—an apt description of the hard-fought contract negotiations common in the NFL.
"For lack of a better word, it's kind of war, where both sides are gonna lose a little blood, but you wave the white flag at the end," Williams told reporters after reporting to the team, ending his holdout. "We both sign a little peace treaty, and we good."
With Williams and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk now back, the 49ers feel prepared to bounce back from last season's heartbreaking finish and once again chase championship glory.
Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article? Report it.
Comments
Do not use the comments to notify us of errors in the article. Editors may not see it. Instead, report errors here.
More San Francisco 49ers News
Trent Williams: 49ers locker room not surprised by Jordan Mason's success
By David Bonilla
Oct 4
On Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, running back Jordan Mason has the chance to become the first player in San Francisco 49ers history to rush for 100 or more yards in four of the first five games of the season. Mason has stepped up admirably in place of injured running...
Trent Williams: 49ers 'won the lottery' with Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
Oct 1
Trent Williams believes the San Francisco 49ers struck gold when they selected Brock Purdy with the last overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. By the end of his rookie season, the former Iowa State quarterback had become a household name, leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship...
49ers' Trent Williams sends clear message on retirement thoughts
By David Bonilla
Oct 1
Trent Williams knows he's destined to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years after he retires. But the San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle isn't focused on the end of his NFL career just yet. Instead, the 11-time Pro Bowl lineman is fully immersed in the present, doing...
49ers vs. Patriots Injury Report: Trent Williams, Talanoa Hufanga questionable to play; Robinson suffered torn ACL
By David Bonilla
Sep 27
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 4 contest against the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Below are the official injury status reports for the two teams.
San Francisco 49ers
Out
DT Javon Hargrave (triceps), LB...