New Headline: Steelers’ Trent Williams Signing Might Finally Curtail Super Bowl LVI's 50-Year Standoff

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) walks off the field after win against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The 49ers have, overall, done an impressive job of plugging gaps in their roster during free agency, but there are still several issues that remain for San Francisco this offseason. And there is no problem more pressing than the issue of Trent Williams’ contract.

It was reported early this offseason that the 49ers were open to trading Williams amid an impasse over his current contract, and specifically the lack of guaranteed money in the deal for the 12-time Pro Bowl left tackle. Yet the chances of the 49ers actually being willing to accept a trade offer for Williams have always seemed low, and the likely outcome is that he will remain with the team for 2026. Williams is due to enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, and understandably views what is currently due to be the final year of his contract with San Francisco as unsatisfactory.

He is due $31 million in 2026, though none of that is currently guaranteed. One guarantee is due to come into force on Friday, when a $10 million option bonus, prorated over the course of this year and three additional void years, kicks in. In short, the 49ers want to lower Williams’ $38.

8 million cap hit for 2026 — and likely want to avoid paying the bonus — while the 38-year-old is seeking for larger guarantees. As such, Friday serves as a de facto deadline for the 49ers to find a compromise with Williams, and ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell has laid out how he believes the two sides can find middle ground. In an article identifying the remaining issues for contending teams, Barnwell rightly focused on the left side of the offensive line for Niners.