Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

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

Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) leaps to avoid a tackle by Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (13) while running with the ball during the second half at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Viewership Bounces Back in Week 2

Last Sunday’s NFL games each showed sizable viewership increases.

Injuries to Dart, Daniels Have Giants and Commanders Reeling

Other injured NFL quarterbacks will be back sooner.

NFL Scoring Plummets After Season Started With Ratings Dip

Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels left with what looked like serious injuries.
Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady and the sidelines watch the offensive line’s drive during first half action of the Bills preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Aug. 27, 2026.

Bills’ Highmark Stadium Debut Begins Boom in New NFL Venues

Seven new NFL stadiums are set to open over the next half decade.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/23/26 – NFL QB Injuries Pile Up, Seahawks’ Scouting Cold War, Aikman’s Contract Limbo

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.

Why Kerri Walsh Jennings Picked a Side in the Volleyball War

The Olympian co-owns the expansion team NorCal Rumble.
Kylian Mbappe On
September 18, 2026

Mbappé Leaves Nike for On As Brand Launches Soccer Division

Thierry Henry joins as the company’s new director of football.
September 21, 2026

Presidents Cup International Team Wants ‘Separation’ From PGA Tour

The U.S. leads the Presidents Cup 13-1-1 all-time.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Hart arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center.
September 17, 2026

LeBron James and Kevin Hart Planning YouTube Golf Collab

Both celebrities recently launched golf content channels.
asset class
September 16, 2026

Ndamukong Suh Says He Almost Invested in the Seahawks

He also “looked at” the Portland Blazers and Thorns.
Aug 28, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up against the Seattle Seahawks prior to a game at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 14, 2026

Mahomes Comeback Kicks Off ESPN ‘MNF’ Coverage

The two-time NFL MVP is completing a remarkable injury recovery.
September 13, 2026

Myles Garrett’s Knee Surgery Adds to Rams’ Early Woes

He’ll miss at least four games on IR.