Stephen A. Smith Sounds Off on Trent Williams' New Deal With 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers will not be without one of the best left tackles in NFL history when their regular season kicks off against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football after reaching a new deal with Trent Williams .

News of the contract was all over the sports world on Tuesday morning, September 3.

#49ers perennial All-Pro LT Trent Williams is back in town and ending his holdout," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported via X . "The deal isn't done, but it's close enough for Williams to report. Per agent @eliteloyaltysp, a reworked contract is expected. Brandon Aiyuk? ✅ Trent Williams? ✅ SF's business is handled."

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN did less reporting on the Williams' deal than reacting to it on Tuesday's edition of "First Take" and, as usual, he came with strong opinions on the matter.

"You protect your quarterback. How do you protect your quarterback? With that brother!" Smith said . "You d*** right they were gonna give him his money. And by the way, let's applaud him as well. ... This brother is in his mid-30s. He's put in his time. He's exhibited nothing but excellence. He's a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer when his playing career is over, and he's still elite right now. If anybody had the right to hold out until he got what he deserved, it's that man right there."

The precise details of Williams' deal are not yet public, as the agreement is in the process of being finalized but has yet to cross the finish line.

As such, it is unclear whether more money or years have been added to the contract, or if San Francisco will simply make adjustments to guaranteed salary in the coming years and/or provide Williams with more cash up front right now.

Williams, 36 years old, is about to enter the fourth season on his current six-year deal worth a total of $138 million .