According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the San Francisco 49ers will not exercise the $10 million option bonus tied to Trent Williams' contract ahead of Friday's 1 p.m. PT deadline.
"Williams' salary cap number now will grow to close to $47 million, but the team is not overly concerned about it," Schefter wrote, "and it still is planning to rework his contract before next month's NFL Draft."
With today's 4 pm ET deadline looming, the 49ers are opting not to exercise the $10 million option bonus in Trent Williams' contract, per sources. Williams' salary cap number now will grow to close to $47 million, but the team is not overly concerned about it and it still is… pic.twitter.com/uvCahjbNYW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2026
The decision comes as Williams and the 49ers continue negotiating a revised deal that would keep the All-Pro left tackle in San Francisco through the 2026 season—and potentially beyond. For now, the two sides remain at a stalemate. Williams has one year remaining on his current contract, and the 49ers likely seek to reduce his salary cap impact.
While Williams is set to turn 38 ahead of the 2026 season, he continues to perform at an elite level. His 91.1 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus (including the playoffs) ranked third among all NFL offensive linemen in 2025, while his 92.0 run-blocking grade ranked second.
However, Williams' 80.3 pass-blocking grade was his lowest since 2012, and his 32 pressures allowed during the regular season were his highest total since 2013.
Still, Williams holds significant leverage in negotiations. The 49ers lack a clear successor at left tackle, and his absence in 2026 would create major protection concerns for quarterback Brock Purdy. The team has not adequately addressed a long-term succession plan.
Over his NFL career, Williams has appeared in 204 games, starting all but one, which came during his rookie season. His résumé includes 12 Pro Bowl selections (2012–2018, 2020–2023, 2025) and five All-Pro honors, including three first-team selections (2021–2023) and two second-team nods (2015, 2025).
Comments