Trent Williams could be released by 49ers, would draw suitors including Patriots
Reports surfaced at the NFL Combine that trent williams is set to be released by the San Francisco 49ers after the team and the veteran left tackle failed to reach agreement on a restructured deal, a development that would immediately put one of the league’s top left tackles onto the open market and draw interest from Super Bowl contenders.
Trent Williams set to be released, reports say
The news emerged amid NFL Combine coverage that has produced a string of roster updates. The 49ers recently negotiated a new deal that aims to force Williams into a pay cut; Williams’ camp has pushed back and is not receptive to the offer on the table. The move is not official, but multiple reports describe a release as inevitable, which would free Williams to sign with another team.
Contract impasse centers on a $39 million cap number
Both accounts of the situation point at the same financial sticking point: a $39 million cap hit this season. Adam Schefter posted on X that, "With five-time All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams scheduled to carry a $39 million cap number this season, he and the 49ers currently are struggling to find a contractual solution. " The 49ers are said to want a pay cut; Williams has resisted losing an opportunity to be paid fair market value.
Recent honors and photos captured in coverage
Williams remains one of the game’s most decorated tackles. Coverage notes he earned his 12th Pro Bowl selection and a spot on the All‑Pro Second Team in 2025 with the 49ers, and one story called him "one of the best left tackles in NFL history. " Recent published images ran with precise captions: Sep. 9, 2024, Santa Clara, California, showing San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams and running back Jordan Mason (left) walking off the field after defeating the New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium (photo credit Darren Yamashita‑Imagn Images); and Feb. 1, 2026, San Francisco, showing Williams throwing the ball during NFC practice at the Flag Fieldhouse Moscone Center South Building (photo credit Kirby Lee‑Imagn Images).
Patriots emerge as a possible landing spot
One analysis framed the situation as an opportunity for New England. The Patriots rode a surprise run to Super Bowl LX in 2025 but lost to the Seattle Seahawks, and that outcome highlighted areas of need on their roster, including the offensive line. New England used Will Campbell at left tackle last season after selecting him No. 4 overall in the 2025 draft; one write‑up said Campbell "was awful throughout the team's playoff run. " That piece suggested the Patriots could consider signing Williams and sliding Campbell to left guard, even though the team had publicly said it would not make that move.
Age and availability: a few unresolved details
Coverage agrees the contract talks could push Williams into free agency, making him a premier player on the open market if the sides don’t bridge their differences. The articles differ on his age — one refers to him as 39 while another says he turns 38 in July; this detail is unclear in the provided context. Both accounts, however, say Williams has shown no signs of decline and "still likely has a couple of top‑tier plays left in his tank. "
What’s next
The immediate next step rests with the 49ers and Williams’ camp: if they cannot reach a restructured contract, Williams would be expected to join the free‑agent class for the upcoming season. The move is not finalized, and published coverage notes the situation is unfolding as discussions continue at the Combine. A separate page from the compilation carried the headline "429 Too Many Requests, " reflecting intermittent publication issues in the rollout of these reports. Owen Crisafulli, who authored one of the pieces, is listed as a Nichols College alum and describes himself as the "Woj" of his family’s sports‑related group chat.
