On Wednesday, Williams acknowledged that the deal will likely be the final contract of his NFL career.
For several years, questions have surrounded how much longer Williams can continue playing at an elite level. While he remains one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen, the 49ers star will turn 38 next month.
Williams confirmed that he expects to play through the remainder of his current contract. Beyond that, however, retirement appears to be the most likely outcome.
The realization that the end of his career is approaching brings mixed emotions.
"It's scary," Williams said. "I'm toying between the idea of going until I can't no more and just leaving while I still got some good product left, and not getting ran out of the league."
Williams explained that becoming a father has significantly influenced his thinking about retirement. His daughter was born just months before he entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick in 2010, and she will soon turn 17.
"As a father, you feel like, damn, I've kind of missed her whole life, kind of until adulthood," Williams shared. "Part of me wants to, when she goes off to college in a couple of years, I want to be there and be accessible. I don't want to be that father that shadows a kid. I want to be close. I don't want to be somewhere at a joint practice when it's time for her to move into school, and stuff like that.
"So, it's little stuff I've got to think about. Obviously, I can't tell the future. I don't know, I'm still a competitor. It's hard not to compete when you can, so we'll see."
When asked if his daughter might encourage him to continue playing beyond age 40, Williams laughed.
"She might," he said. "And that might give me a little extra boost, but we'll see."
For now, the 49ers can take comfort in knowing one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history plans to remain on the field through 2027. After that, Williams appears prepared to begin the next phase of his life away from football.
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