The San Francisco 49ers have plenty of questions on the future for the offense. Especially on the offensive line.
But 15-year veteran left tackle Trent Williams gave the team a little more optimism.
Williams will be turning age 37 next season. And although for some players, especially anyone who’s played offensive line, would be considering retirement at this point, Williams says he plans to play a lot longer than 2025.
“I would love to play until I’m 40,” Williams said Tuesday, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I would love to make it to that special group. But if it’s just not in my cards, it’s not in my cards. But I’m going to do everything physically possible. I’m going to stay engaged, as you see, my first time here doing OTAs or even being at the offseason program in probably 10 years.
“So it’s one of the things where I’m going to do everything possible to play as long and put a good product of football out there, and then, when it’s not going my way, then I know. But I could play until I’m 41, you know, who knows? But that is a goal of mine. I’m definitely not going to retire with something left on the table.”
The 11-time Pro-Bowler is still playing at a high level even as he gets closer to 40 years old. Since coming into the Niners, Williams has had an overall offensive PFF grade of 85.0 or greater; including being ranked first amongst offensive tackles in each of his first three seasons with San Francisco.
Williams did hit a speed bump last season when he had to miss seven games because of an ankle injury. However, he was still top 10 in offensive PFF grade at his position and remained a huge impact for the 49ers last year.
He has two more years left on his contract and is “taking everything one year at a time.”
“I just feel like I do myself and my teammates a disservice if I’m looking toward the end,” he said. “I’m paid, people count on me to be here now. We got goals and aspirations as a team. I just don’t think putting brain power toward that helps us get to where we want to go.
“So when it happens, it happens. I feel like one day coming in, I should know when it’s getting that time. And then I do the responsible thing, and then let them know early enough so that they can make the adjustments needed.”
So, it doesn’t look as if the 49ers will need to find Big Trent’s replacement just yet. But as long as he keeps giving San Francisco the same level of elite play, they won’t have to worry about it.
