The 49ers star left tackle was in attendance at OTAs for the first time in nearly a decade.
The 2024 season was not pretty for the San Francisco 49ers. But, it was an especially difficult year for star left tackle Trent Williams, who suffered a devastating personal tragedy off the field and dealt with injury woes on the field.
Williams, 36, had signed a three-year, $82.26 million extension with the 49ers ahead of last season, holding out for much of the offseason to secure guaranteed money.
With contract issues out of the way, the star had hoped to put his entire focus on playing, but dealt with ankle and heel injuries while also experiencing the loss of his son, Trenton Jr., who was stillborn on November 24th.
All of those difficulties, paired with Williams’s increasing age, raised questions about what the left tackle’s future could look like this offseason. But, all of that was put aside when the star showed up to organized team activities (OTAs) last month, marking a sign of unity for the team.
“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 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.”
Now, even if Williams wasn’t considering retirement, he could’ve chosen to show up only at the mandatory parts of the offseason program. After all, he’s a seasoned veteran who likely wouldn’t suit up in team drills, as head coach Kyle Shanahan has emphasized keeping veterans healthy before training camp this offseason.
But, it meant something to the left tackle to show up and be around at OTAs for the first time in nearly a decade.
“I just feel like I do myself and my teammates a disservice if I’m looking towards the end,” Williams said. “I’m paid, people count on me to be here now. We’ve got goals and aspirations as a team. I just don’t think putting brain power towards that helps us get to where we want to go. When it happens, it happens. I think, one day, coming in, I should know when it’s getting that time, and then, I do the responsible thing and let them know early enough so that they can make the adjustments needed.”
Retirement has always been a question associated with the left tackle, even if he himself hasn’t seriously considered the idea yet.
Still, Williams has aspirations to break records and make it into the special group of linemen playing in their 40s. He also has the opportunity to secure the most Pro Bowls for an offensive tackle if he can achieve his 12th this season.
“I would love to play until I’m 40. I would love to make it into that special group,” Williams continued. “But if it’s not in my cards, it’s not in my cards. But I’m gonna do everything physically possible. I’m gonna stay engaged.”
“It’s one of them things to where I’m gonna do everything possible to play as long [as I can], and put a good product of football out there, and then, when it’s not going my way, then I’ll know. But I could play until I’m 41. Who knows? But that is a goal of mine. I’m definitely not going to retire with some left in the tank.”
Ultimately, it’s a year-to-year decision for the left tackle, which is also what his contract reflects. Williams has no guaranteed money remaining on his extension after this season, but isn’t worried about that prospect.
If he feels he’s still a high-caliber player, those conversations will come next offseason. If not, he’ll begin to ponder retirement. Regardless, the left tackle is set on the upcoming season, and he’s looking to bounce back after a tough 2024 campaign.
That has started with showing up early in the offseason process, which is a pleasant sign for the 49ers.