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Offensive tackle Trent Williams knows about life in the NFL's trenches, but fighting for inches seems only too familiar when it comes to dealing with the San Francisco 49ers about money.
San Francisco 49ers OT Trent Williams walks around the field before playing against the Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Thursday, October 2, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/S. F.
Chronicle) The San Francisco 49ers have an extensive history of bruising the feelings of their star players during contract negotiations. Even ever-optimistic, perpetually sunny George Kittle , not one to carry a grudge, carries the scars. In 2024, four years removed from his first head-to-head tussle with the front office, Kittle broached the topic unprompted during an interview with the Chronicle for a story about the fear of being fired that fueled him, even during another 1,000-yard season.
Where did that fear originate? After explaining in detail, Kittle then revealed how his 2020 negotiations also shaped his perspective. He saw "behind the curtain" and realized his employer could be ruthless: The 49ers had been cutthroat when it came to cash.
"Anytime someone is telling you what they think your value is - specifically like when they lowball the hell out of you - it's not a really fun feeling," Kittle said. The 49ers' hardline negotiating isn't a new topic. But it's relevant again with the franchise in a messy public standoff with 37-year-old left tackle Trent Williams , with separate recent national reports stating the 49ers could release or trade the 12-time Pro Bowl pick if an agreement isn't reached, although Wiliams remains under contract for 2026.
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