Friday, July 3, 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

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.

Commanders Look to RFK Roots in $3.8B Stadium Design

The forthcoming venue’s design recalls RFK Stadium while looking forward.
Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26), defensive end Kam Franklin (5) and linebacker Jaden Yates (30) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Tulane Green Wave during the second half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

CFP First-Round Ratings Down 7% As NFL Match-Ups Dominate

Last weekend’s CFP games averaged 9.9 million viewers.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/2/26 – Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown, World Cup Ratings Smash Records, Serena Knee Scare, Bobby Bonilla Day

0:00

Featured Today

ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.

Alex Ovechkin Will Return to Washington for One More Season

The one-year contract extension is based heavily on an appearance incentive.
Jun 30, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Serena Williams of the United States returns a shot during her match against Maya Joint of Australia on day two at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
June 30, 2026

Serena Williams Loses in Return to Singles at Wimbledon

It was her first singles match since the 2022 US Open.
Jun 11, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert meets with the working media before Portland Fire against the Las Vegas Aces at Moda Center.
June 30, 2026

Cathy Engelbert Responds to Alyssa Thomas’s Callout

Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and one-game suspension last week.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
June 29, 2026

Unrivaled Lands Two International Stars Amid Project B Battle

Unrivaled also signed Canadian forward Bridget Carleton.
June 25, 2026

Tracy McGrady Buying 80% of ABCD as He Revives Legendary Camp

McGrady is bringing back a piece of basketball history.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 23, 2026

Greg Olsen: NFL Franchises Interested in Hosting Tight End U

The annual summer summit is in its sixth year.