Historic Trent Williams Deal Closes Salary Gap for Non-QBs

The San Francisco 49ers made eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. 

Entering his twelfth season in the league, Williams agreed to a six-year, $138.06 million contract that includes $55.1 million in guaranteed money along with a $30.1 million signing bonus. His career earnings before Wednesday were $108.3 million, per Spotrac. 

The deal follows Williams’ first season with the 49ers after a trade from the Washington Football Team that was fueled by a contract dispute and an alleged mishandling of his cancer diagnosis. Williams believed that Washington lacked urgency in response to his concerns about an enlarged growth on his head.

Before the agreement between Williams and the 49ers, David Bakhtiari was the highest-paid lineman, signing a four-year, $105.5 million extension in November with the Green Bay Packers. 

Last week, the Dallas Cowboys made quarterback Dak Prescott the highest-paid player in league history with a four-year, $160 million deal to stay in Dallas. The contract included $126 million in guaranteed money and a no-trade clause.

Williams was considered the best free agent available this offseason. The NFL’s “legal tampering period” started on Monday with the official opening of free agency on Wednesday, the start of a new league year.