NFL hits 49ers' Trent Williams with huge fine everyone knew was coming ahead of Cowboys matchup

From the second Trent Williams reacted to a cheap shot from Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, it was obvious to everyone that the future Hall of Fame left tackle was going to be heavily fined.

Williams was ejected in the fourth quarter of the San Francisco 49ers' Week 7 defeat to the Chiefs after responding by firmly striking Cook in the helmet.

And he has indeed paid a heavy price for that reaction, the NFL fining Williams $11,817 for that transgression. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir was also fined $11,817 for an unnecessary roughness foul in the fourth quarter following the Chiefs fourth and final touchdown in the Niners' 28-18 loss. Lenoir and Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore were each flagged following a scuffle after the play.

It is the second time in as many seasons that Williams has been fined for fighting. Williams was fined $11,473 for a similar incident in last season's Week 3 win over the New York Giants.

And he is no stranger to being fined this year, having accrued over $5 million in fines for his contract holdout this offseason, which ended a few days before the 49ers' season opener against the New York Jets.

Despite avoiding an ejection, Cook did not escape without a fine for his role in the play, which resulted in offsetting personal foul penalties. Cook was fined $8,442.64 for his ill-advised decision to strike Williams,

It hasn't been the season the 49ers envisioned to this point, but offensive line coach Chris Foerster has not seen any drop-off from Williams despite his long self-imposed exile from the team this offseason.

Asked about Williams' Pro Football Focus grade, which has him fourth among all tackles (Williams is fifth in run blocking and ninth in pass protection), Foerster replied:

"He’s been playing as well as he’s ever played. There might be some protections, but I thought it was the same as last year. And some things are actually better than a year ago. Who knows what it is? I don’t know their scales, at least it’s consistent. So, whatever they grade him as and however they do it, I’m not there to discuss theirs. But I know that definitely, from our perspective, to me, he’s playing the same as he played a year ago. Is that best? I’m not doing that, but I do know he’s playing almost exactly the same as he played a year ago. And it was funny because he missed camp. It kind of bothers me.”

Regardless of whether he's satisfied with his own performances, Williams can't be happy with the results of the team this season. After his significant fine, he will now look to take his frustration out on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 and help the 49ers get back to 4-4 going into their Week 9 bye.

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