Trent Williams and the 49ers are at an impasse.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that the two sides are currently “struggling to find a contractual solution” with the star offensive lineman set to carry a $39 million cap hit next season.
“If the two sides can’t bridge their differences in their standoff, Williams would be expected to join this year’s free-agent class, making him one of the premier players available,” Schefter added.
The loss of Williams, who, even at 37 years old, remained one of the top left tackles in football last season, would be a major blow to San Francisco’s offense.
Williams made his 12th career Pro Bowl in 2025, the second-most all-time Pro Bowl selections for an offensive lineman.
He also made second-team All-Pro, his fifth overall All-Pro selection.
In 16 games, Williams allowed just 40 pressures and four sacks across 668 pass-blocking snaps.
Williams, turning 38 in July, is entering the last year of the three-year, $82.66 million deal he signed in 2024.
He is currently owed $22.2 million plus a $10 million option bonus on April 1 that would make him the highest-paid tackle in football next season.
The 49ers would save only around $4.7 million on his cap number if they release Williams before that date.
Letting Williams go post-June 1 would save the team a little more than $15 million next season, although the 49ers would need to spread $44 million in dead money over the next two years.
Should he get there, Williams would immediately become one of the top free agents on the open market in what is seen as a relatively thin offensive tackle market.