Trent Williams is one of the San Francisco 49ers' most valuable players.
But the All-Pro left tackle carries a significant salary cap hit in 2026 as he enters the final year of his contract with no more guaranteed salary.Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two sides are "struggling to find a contractual solution" to reduce his scheduled $38.8 million salary cap hit for next season.
If the two sides can't reach a compromise, Williams could ultimately be headed for a release and free agency, per the report.
If so, the 49ers would lose a key player in their effort to return to Super Bowl contention. And Williams would become one of the most coveted free agents on the market for contenders seeking to upgrade their offensive line.
John Lynch addresses Williams' status
The report on Williams broke Tuesday just hours before 49ers general manager John Lynch was scheduled to speak at the NFL combine. Lynch addressed Williams' status during his media availability and confirmed that he's met in recent weeks with Williams and his agent.
"Trent loves being a Niner," Lynch said. "We love having Trent as a Niner. It's up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle. There's some unique circumstances. We all know what Trent is as a player, how great of a player he's been."
Lynch then referenced what's surely a key sticking point in negotiations.
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"He's gonna be 38 years old," Lynch continued. "So there's some things that go into that. But I think we're all on the same page and feel very positive about where that's going."
Williams has not addressed his contract status with media.
Will 49ers let their OL anchor walk?
Williams is a 12-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro and arguably the best offensive lineman of his generation. Even at 37 years old last season, he remained one of the best left tackles in the game while earning second-team All-Pro honors.
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In addition to protecting Brock Purdy's blindside, Williams is the anchor of San Francisco's run game and a key to All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey's success. McCaffrey has previously said that Williams "might be the best player I've ever seen."
The 49ers, meanwhile, are coming off a competitive season in which they finished 12-5 despite a litany of injuries to key players. They're hoping to return several key players from injury, including All-Pro defenders Nick Bosa and Fred Warner next season, though tight George Kittle is looking at an extended absence and murky future after sustaining a late-season ruptured Achilles tendon.
But the 49ers have their sights set on contending for a Super Bowl next season. They'd obviously like for Williams to be a part of those plans. But for now, the cost appears to be too much for the 49ers, and Williams' future with the team is in doubt.