How Shanahan phone call ended Williams’ 49ers contract holdout
It took one phone call.
After months of holding out and standing his ground while awaiting security with a new contract, Trent Williams received a phone call from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan last Sunday, eight days before San Francisco’s 2024 season opener, that put an end to the madness.
“We need you,” Shanahan told the All-Pro left tackle, as shared by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini in her latest column.
The 49ers dealt with two very public contract sagas this offseason — one with Williams and the other with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
Aiyuk showed up to training camp and even traveled with the team to Las Vegas for its preseason game against the Raiders. Ultimately, a deal got done and Aiyuk signed a four-year extension worth a reported $120 million.
But things were different with Williams, who made it clear that he wouldn’t budge even when the fines for not showing up to camp stacked up.
“You know the only way you are taking me off the field is on a stretcher,” Williams responded to Shanahan during the phone call. “I am fully committed to giving you all of my physical and mental being if you can provide the security I need off the field for my family.”
The two, whose special bond dates back to their time together with the Washington Commanders when Williams was a rookie in 2010, shared their thoughts and feelings and heard out one another.
Soon after, a deal was done.
Williams and the 49ers agreed to a three-year, $82.66 million reworked contract. Williams got the stability he longed for and the 49ers got their most important player back.
Before that pivotal phone call, Williams and Shanahan gave each other the silent treatment for more than two months. No texts. No calls.
The last time the two were in communication was during an awkward exchange at Christian McCaffrey’s wedding, an event Williams promised the star running back he wouldn’t miss.
At that point in late June, Williams and the 49ers were the furthest apart they had been during negotiations, Russini wrote. Williams was anxious and jittery knowing he would see his coach and general manager John Lynch at the reception.
There were hundreds of guests in attendance, but the awkward run-in couldn’t be avoided.
Williams bumped into Shanahan and the two hugged and exchanged some quick pleasantries. After the wedding, it was back to the silent treatment while Williams’ agent kept discussions with the team private and out of the media.
Nine weeks later, Shanahan picked up the phone and made the call.
Williams now is the highest-paid left tackle in football, getting what he wanted: Two years of guaranteed money worth up to $48 million.
