SANTA CLARA — Trent Williams is the 49ers’ elder statesman, so as he approaches his 16th NFL season and 37th birthday, his words carry massive weight and perspective.
At Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp, Williams gushed over quarterback Brock Purdy (“He is the guy for this franchise”) as well as new defensive ends Mykel Williams (“He just has that genetic makeup to be a superstar”) and Bryce Huff (“That speed demon off the edge”).
But only Williams knows how strongly he feels about his career’s year-to-year, day-to-day lifespan. Only he can gauge his problematic ankle’s health, his post-Super Bowl depression, his ever-growing bank account, and his true exit strategy.
“I would love to play until I’m 40. I would love to make it into that special group. But if it’s not in my cards, it’s not in my cards,” Williams said. “I’m going to do everything physically possible and I’m going to stay engaged, as you’re seeing. It’s my first time here doing OTAs or being in an offseason program in probably 10 years.”
Williams’ brute force and physicality are on display as ever, even if he’s limited to just offensive line drills, where last week he flattened Sebastian Gutierrez in a one-on-one drill.
“Trent’s at a different time in his career than everyone else,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But I love Trent being around so everyone so people see how much he cares about football and works at football.”
“I’m going to do everything possible and put a good product of football out there,” Williams added. “When it’s not going my way, then I’ll know. I could play until I’m 41. Who knows? I’m definitely not going to retire with something left in the tank.”
Williams turns 37 on July 19. This will be his sixth season as the 49ers’ left tackle. His three-year run as an AP First-Team All-Pro ended last season, when he missed the final seven games because of an ankle and heel issue. “It’s good. It’s in the past,” Williams said of the injury, which didn’t linger past February.
Williams held out through training camp last year before reporting in Week 1 with a revised contract (three years, $82.66 million). No guaranteed money awaits in 2026, and Williams vowed he’ll let the 49ers know “early enough” to make alternative plans whenever he’s done.
“I’d do myself and my teammates a disservice if I’m looking toward the end. I’m paid. People count on me to be here now,” he said. “… If my play warrants more guarantees or a new deal or another year or two on the deal, then I’m here for it. If not, it’s time to sail into the sunset.”
Williams has helped groom Spencer Burford’s transition from guard, including offseason work at Williams’ Houston gym, and it’s Burford who has lined up in Williams’ place at left tackle during full-team drills.
Three years ago, the 49ers used the 262nd pick on a quarterback whose blindside is Williams’ responsibility.
“He is the guy for this team. He is the guy for this franchise,” Williams said of Purdy, who signed his own mega-extension this offseason. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg. He’s going to get another contract. He’s going to win a lot of football games. He’s that good of a player.”
Williams was just as complimentary of defensive end Mykel Williams (no relation), who has been limited to individual conditioning since last week because of a minor hamstring issue.
“He’s a mountain of a man. He’s a statue,” Trent Williams said. “To be that size and have that frame (6-foot-5, 257 pounds) and be that quick and that fluid in short areas … He just has that genetic makeup to be a superstar as a defensive lineman. Now obviously it has to happen on Sunday (game days), and he’s well capable of that, but from my first impression, that’s what puts me in the mind. He’s going to be a very talented defensive line and he’s going to make his name in this NFL.”
Several names exited the 49ers’ roster this offseason, and Williams chalked it up as the “business” side of the profession, and he noted that close ally Deebo Samuel will flourish in Washington.
Williams was pleased to see “the confidence and atmosphere” swirling around the 49ers, a year after last year’s trauma both on and off the field, including his son’s stillborn delivery. Setting the 2024 year’s dire tone was a quick turnaround from the 49ers’ Super Bowl loss in overtime to Kansas City.
“It took me a long time, even on into last season. Even playing the Chiefs again, I felt that hurt,” Williams said. “This offseason could have been a blessing in disguise. We’ll see. We refreshed the roster. We have some younger guys. In the long run, it should help having that time off.”
AIYUK APPEARS
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appeared agile and upbeat while emerging to watch practice, his first appearance during a media session this offseason.
“He’s making his way back. He’s still in the middle of it so he’s working through that,” Shanahan said. “He’s been around and been rehabbing for the most part. He’s been out to some practices. It was good to have him out today.” A year ago, Aiyuk did not show for mandatory minicamp during his convoluted path to an eventual contract extension.
HEALTH CENTER
Players expected back for the start of training camp in six weeks: wide receivers Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall (hamstring); defensive linemen Mykel Williams (hamstring), Alfred Collins (calf) and Yetur Gross-Matos (knee); safeties J’Ayir Brown (ankle cleanup) and George Odum (knee); and, offensive tackle Andre Dillard (ankle scope).
Jennings, Pearsall and Williams were all seen doing individual conditioning on the side. Williams, this year’s first-round draft pick, worked one-on-one with head trainer Dustin Perry near the defensive line drills, as was the case at last week’s organized team activities.
PRACTICE NOTES
Purdy was intercepted by second-string cornerback Tre Brown in 11-on-11 action, then by Dee Winters and Jason Pinnock in 7-on-7 work, with Pinnock snagging a 50-yard bomb that Jacob Cowing failed to reach. … Jake Moody made 6-of-7 field-goal attempts, missing from 36 yards and making from as deep as 55 while Shanahan, general manager John Lynch and fellow kicker Greg Joseph watched about 20 yards behind Moody. … Matt Hennessy got some first-team reps at center in place of Jake Brendel. … Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk scored touchdown runs, and Purdy threw a scoring strike to Jordan Watkins in red-zone work. … Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott deflected a Purdy pass and nearly intercepted it.