News broke early Monday that the San Francisco 49ers and star left tackle Trent Williams agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $50 million, keeping the 12-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the team through the 2027 season.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was among the first to report the deal.
"That deal was always going to get done," Schefter said on his podcast. "It was tracking to get done for the last couple of weeks. They basically were going over the language on that."
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The NFL insider also noted that the extension could impact the 49ers' strategy in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the possibility of trading out of the first round to accumulate more picks.
San Francisco currently holds six selections, and still has several roster needs to address, including a long-term succession plan at left tackle.
The 49ers own the No. 27 overall pick, meaning any trade-back scenario could involve moving out of Round 1 entirely.
"I still think the 49ers now need another offensive tackle," Schefter said. "I'm not going to be surprised if the 49ers trade out of this spot. Like a lot of teams, the 49ers would be open to moving back; other teams open to moving back. The question is: who's moving up?
Williams, who turns 38 in July, remains under contract and is expected to anchor the line for the next two seasons. Schefter believes the extension gives San Francisco added flexibility in how it approaches the draft.
"But Trent Williams is now in the fold on a two-year, $50 million contract," Schefter said. "The Niners are hoping to get him for the next couple of years—he's contractually tied to them. We'll see how that plays out, but it does give them a little bit of flexibility, and I'm looking for a move back."
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