Trent Williams was connected to retirement speculation after the 2022 season, but he will remain as the 49ers’ left tackle for at least the coming campaign. If he is able to, he may remain in San Francisco for several years beyond that point. 
William, 35, is under contract through 2026. Retirement at the conclusion of his deal – or sometime before then – will likely be a talking point for the remainder of his decorated career, especially if injuries or a decline in play factor into his decision-making. For the time being, though, the 10-time Pro Bowler is attempting to play to the age of 40.
“If I’m 40 years old and I’m not at a Pro Bowl level, but I can help the team, and I can help the guys in the locker room, and [head] coach Kyle [Shanahan] wants me around, then I’m going to be around,” Williams said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “As long as I’m working for the San Francisco 49ers and I feel up to doing it, I’m going to do it as long as I can and as hard as I can.”
Williams has lived up to expectations so far in his three years in San Francisco, earning a Pro Bowl nod each season and adding first-team All-Pro acclaim in each of the past two. His PFF evaluations have remained stellar, and he was charged with just one sack allowed in pass protection in 2021 and ’22. It thus came as little surprise that he committed to playing at least one more year as the 49ers look to get over the Super Bowl hump with what is widely considered one of the NFL’s best rosters.
The Oklahoma product is due over $77MM from 2024-26 on his deal, giving him plenty of motivation to remain in place for the foreseeable future. No guaranteed money exists on his pact over that span, however, so questions about his playing future could heat up if things do not go according to plan this season. For now, though, Williams is intent on remaining in the league for as long as he can play at a starting-caliber level.
“I don’t know how realistic it is,” he added. “We’ve seen people do it. It’s definitely a goal of mine. I want to see how long I can push this thing. How long can I stay at the top of my game? How long can I fight Father Time off? When he wins, he’ll win and I’ll hang them up. If it’s age 38, 39, 41, I’m not going to leave anything in the tank. As long as I feel like I can offer something to the game, I’m going to be suiting up.”
Agreed with Williams. Age is overrated until it is not.
Beast mode
It’ll be tough, but it’s possible. Williams is still playing at a high level. There have been a couple of legendary tackles who played at a high level late into their thirties, but not many who reached 40. I can only think of one who was still a starter. Andrew Whitworth did very notably do so recently, and was still one of the league’s best tackles. On the other end, you have Duane Brown, who was still playing at a high level before suddenly dropping off hard and developing injury trouble before 40. Between those those two is Jason Peters, who I believe is the oldest non kicker/punter currently. Peters is still playing, but is not a starter, and is certainly not the player that he used to be. Peters, for his part, is 41 (also on this subject, look up Terren Jones, who played for the Titans in 2014. Safe to say that he was an outlier). Oh, and there was Bruce Matthews…definitely qualifies.
A player like Williams, who has athleticism as such a strength, will go as far as that athleticism will take him. As long as he can stave off injury, he has a chance to remain in the league. The extra grind that extra games (both the 17th regular game and whatever playoff appearances the 9ers figure to make) will take on him as such a physical tackle will have a big impact on his playing future. With the rule changes and advancements in recovery today, combined with Williams’ elite athleticism, there is a chance that he could follow in Whitworth’s footsteps. It’ll be tough, though, and there’s always the chance that he falls fast, like Brown did. Whatever happens, he’s already one of the best tackles that we’ve seen play, and he should have another couple of good years ahead at least.