Friday, August 14, 2026

Historic Trent Williams Deal Closes Salary Gap for Non-QBs

  • The San Francisco 49ers have made 8-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
  • Williams agreed to a six-year, $138.06 million contract that competes with quarterback deals.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Why Jeff Bezos Remains on the NFL Ownership Sidelines

FSG announced the Liverpool deal Friday.

Jayden Daniels Sets Off Firestorm at LSU Over Jersey Number

The Commanders quarterback sent LSU a cease-and-desist letter for using his NIL.

After $9.6 Billion Seahawks Sale, Which NFL Team Is Next?

NFL owners aren’t rushing to sell despite soaring values.
Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.

Fund Backing Women’s Sports Raises $250M and Counting

Jason Wright oversees a fund that has secured $250 million.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBA Owners ‘Stunned’ by Lakers Sale, Knicks’ $67M Run, WTA Sex Testing Starts

0:00

Featured Today

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
August 10, 2026

How the Chicago Sky Found the League’s Biggest Revelation

Sydney Taylor went undrafted in 2024 and played two years in Europe.
Terrell Owens
August 13, 2026

Terrell Owens on Losing His Fortune: ‘Money Was Just Missing’

Owens says he eventually hired forensic accountants after discovering missing money.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
August 7, 2026

Money Suddenly Floods NFL’s Running Back Market

The long-overlooked position gets a big jolt of new energy. 
August 7, 2026

Clippers, Leonard Had Sponsorship Deal With Daktronics: Report

Daktronics installed the Intuit Dome’s halo board.
Eastlake’s Julian Williams (3) runs the ball during a District 1-6A high school football game against Pebble Hills on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at SAC 1 in El Paso, Texas.
August 6, 2026

Texas Heat Rules Reshape High School Football Practices

Smaller programs may lack the facilities and trainers to adapt.
Dec 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) dribbles the ball past Philadelphia 76ers forward JJ Redick (17) and guard Ben Simmons (25) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. The Blazers won 114-110. Mandatory Credit:
August 4, 2026

Why Pro Athletes Are Saying Their Big Contracts Weren’t So Big

“I think people should listen, because they’re telling the truth,” Chris Bosh told FOS.