ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped some of the biggest news of the first day of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine when he reported that the San Francisco 49ers and superstar left tackle Trent Williams are not close on a potential contract extension.
With five-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams scheduled to carry a $39 million cap number this season, he and the 49ers currently are struggling to find a contractual solution, per league sources. If the two sides can’t bridge their differences in their standoff, Williams… pic.twitter.com/gJlCpTHSlz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 24, 2026
As Schefter noted, Williams is set to count almost $39 million against the Niners' cap in 2026. But more importantly, Williams is due just a hair over $33 million in cash.
And that's the bigger issue.
If the challenge was simply a cap issue, San Francisco could work to a restructure of Williams' salary and lower his cap hit in 2026 by up to $15.8 million. Instead of that, it looks like the two sides believe an extension is a better path forward.
Even if they aren't aligned on what that extension looks like.
Why an extension makes sense for both Trent Williams and 49ers
A contract extension is beneficial for Williams because his salary this year is not guaranteed. Chances are Williams would not be able to find $33 million per year on the open market. He is absolutely still one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but currently, the highest-paid player at his position, the Los Angeles Chargers' Rashawn Slater, makes $28.5 million per season.
Williams' priority should be guaranteeing his current cash. An extension could accomplish that goal.
The 49ers' main priority should be to retain Williams' services for 2026 while reducing his cash owed in that season while also lowering his salary cap hit. An extension could accomplish that goal as well.
What would that look like? And what is the precedent?
The Philadelphia Eagles and their star tackle, Lane Johnson, have already played this game. In 2025, still with two years and $40 million left on his deal at the time, Philly extended Johnson on a one-year, $25 million extension. In the process, the Eagles adjusted his cash flows for 2025 and 2026 while tacking on the additional year.
Williams is still playing at an extremely high level. If you cap adjust Johnson's extension, you get a $27 million valuation. Add that to his current cash flow, it creates a two-year, $60 million contract. San Francisco could guarantee the $33 million Williams is due this year but spread it over 2026 and 2027. I would suggest $27 million this year, with an additional $6 million of his 2027 salary guaranteed.
Could this work for Williams? Yes. Is it the best opportunity he could find? Perhaps not. It wouldn't surprise me if another team offered him a two-year contract with more than $33 million guaranteed. But would they be willing to go much higher? I'm not so sure. Maybe $35 million. I think that's the limit.
San Francisco needs Williams for 2026. Williams wants security.
Both ends can be met with some creative thinking.