The San Francisco 49ers have basically all of their core players returning next season.
One of those players is left tackle Trent Williams, although San Francisco is clearly avoiding an awkward conversation about the veteran.
Williams is 37 years old and just made another Pro Bowl, but that may have had more to do with his reputation rather than his actual statistics.
Williams got off to a rough start early in the season as it was clear he was not his usual self. He got a little better as the season went on, but unfortunately, basically missed two games in Weeks 17 and 18 as a hamstring injury on the first offensive snap in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears kept him out the rest of that game and the following week as well.
Still, Williams made 16 starts on the year, which is the most he has made since joining the Niners and the most he's made in his career since 2013 when he was with Washington.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic noted that Williams allowed 40 quarterback pressures in 2025, which was the most he has allowed since his rookie season and led the 49ers.
These are troubling, if not altogether unexpected, signs from a player who is getting up there in age. Williams is still a key component of the team and the Niners are clearly better with him out there at left tackle, but the team is avoiding the question of what they will do after Williams retires.
49ers lack a contingency plan for fast-approaching post-Trent Williams era
The Texas native certainly does not sound like he wants to retire anytime soon, but even if he has two years left in him, a steady decline could make him a liability as he nears age 40.
The problem is that the 49ers do not have any sort of contingency plan. There's no one on the roster, currently, whom the Niners would trust at left tackle for more than a game or two, and it seems unlikely San Francisco would be willing to burn a high pick on a tackle in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, especially when there are more pressing needs at wide receiver and edge rusher.
Williams holds a ton of leverage right now and could renegotiate his contract again to try to get more money. The Niners know how essential he is to the offensive line as a whole, so the ball is in his court.
While Williams is obviously going to be San Francisco's starting left tackle as long as he's on the roster, the question has to become, "What's next?"
That is a question the Niners are currently unwilling to answer.