Trent Williams joins the 49ers on an expiring contract.
There’s only one season left on an extension signed with Washington back in 2015. A new deal, at least a commitment to complete one, seemed requisite to acquiring the elite left tackle in a trade, but that wasn’t the case.
Going into his 10th season, the veteran didn’t demand the big-money deal with significant guarantees before Saturday’s trade to the 49ers for a 2020 fifth-round pick and a third-rounder in 2021 was fully executed.
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49ers general manager John Lynch said Saturday that both sides were content to slow play the prospect of a new deal.
Williams echoed that sentiment in a Thursday video conference with local reporters, saying he’s ready and willing to essentially play on a one-year, $12.5 million.
“As far as the contract, we both agreed on the fact that we can take a wait-and-see approach,” Williams said. “It’s the last year of my deal. Obviously, there’s an incentive for me to play well. They had to give up a third-rounder next year, so they’re invested in the deal as well.
"I think both parties are interested in something long term, but I’m more than okay just getting my feet wet and playing it out.”
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Joining the NFC champions and reuniting with former Washington offensive coordinator and current 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan certainly had something to do with that. Williams also joins a team early in its championship window, one with a real opportunity to reach the Super Bowl for a second straight season.
“It was extremely important to me at this point in my career,” Williams said. “I have played a lot of football but haven’t won a lot of games. I just wanted that to change. I’m a competitive guy regardless and I tend to go the extra mile when I shouldn’t but, [working] when you know you have a real possibility of holding up the Lombardi Trophy is a lot easier. The vibe is different.
"You work for a different reason, instead of just trying to maintain a level of elite play knowing games might not go your way right away.”
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If the 49ers win and the seven-time Pro Bowler plays well as expected, Williams will get a mint from the 49ers or another team down the road.
“I think it's always an advantage when you get someone in the building, on your roster,” Lynch said right after the NFL draft. “Now, you've got a chance and we'll get a really good look at him. We'll see where the rest of our team is at.
"But right now, we're just ecstatic that we were able to pull it off and at a really opportune time. You're losing a great player like Joe at a very critical position. To be able to have everything line up. He was available right then, and to be able to land him is very fortuitous for us. We're very excited about that.”