49ers All-Pro LT Trent Williams ends holdout after agreeing to new deal

Trent Williams, the San Francisco 49ers star left tackle embroiled in a lengthy contract dispute with the team, has ended his holdout and was back at team facilities Tuesday to sign a new deal and report to practice.

Williams spoke to reporters at the 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara Tuesday hours after social media posts by his brother and his agency, Elite Loyalty Sports, indicated Williams was ready to finalize the deal with the team.

Williams told reporters the deal hadn't yet been signed but that "it's pretty much done" and his holdout was all about his future security.

"You know, it's a volatile league, you know, and a guy my stature, my age, you know, I thought security was important. And that was all," said Williams.

The 36-year-old Williams, widely considered the National Football League's top offensive lineman, has held out through the entire 49ers training camp and three preseason games, accruing more than $4 million in fines for the missed practices and games, ESPN reported.

Willams said he didn't think the holdout and contract negotiations would last until just days before the first regular season game.

"But, you know, it's a tough business, and this was a very intricate contract. I wouldn't call it a dispute, but restructure, so it took time to make to get to where both sides feel like we've, um, it's a win-win.," said Williams. And so, you know, we, we had discussions in minicamp, and kind of knew that it could draw out a little bit just because there was other people on the table that, you know, obviously a lot of pressing needs."

Williams said despite the drawn-out process, he is still on very good terms with general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.

"We actually retained a really good rapport during the whole time I was away. Kept in contact with John and Kyle, you know. So it was, it was all business, you know. Our friendship - Kyle's like family to me, you know - all that remains the same."

In 2021, Williams signed a six-year, $138 million extension, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL at the time. However, the $22 million he's owed for 2025 and the $32 million for 2026 were not guaranteed. CBS Sports lead NFL insider Jonathan Jones cited a source who says there are still "a few things to work through" but it's believed the new deal will be finalized this week with an eye on a Week 1 start.

Word of the deal comes less than a week after the 49ers and All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk agreed to a $120 million four-year contract extension , keeping Aiyuk with the team through the 2028 season.

Williams told reporters he also felt compelled to get back with the team after rookie teammate Ricky Pearsall was shot and injured during a robbery attempt over the weekend at San Francisco's Union Square.

"I felt more compelled to come back after that than, than anything. Because, you know, I've never experienced that like, in my playing career, to have a teammate, you know, shot, so to speak," said Williams. "So in my mind, I'm like, man, I just want to get back, get around the team. Like, Ricky stood out to me, because when I popped in for (organized team activities) for 30 minutes I was here. He did, like, go out of his way to come and introduce himself to me ... We was going to meet each other eventually. But, you know, I'm getting there, it's 90 guys on the team just walking out. I kind of don't really know everybody just yet. So for him to come up and kind of introduce, and I just instantly felt this vibe. And, you know, can just feel he's such a genuine person. So as soon I've seen that happen, I'm like, man, I just want to be, you know, a voice in his ear let him know everything gonna be alright. I'll be there for the team. You know, a lot of people probably hurt and confused about what happened and thinking, 'Am I next?' You know, so I wanted to be around for that."

The 2024 season would be Williams' 15th season in the NFL.

The 49ers, reigning National Football Conference champions, begin the regular season on Monday night against the New York Jets at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.