For athletes such as San Francisco 49ers’ tackle Trent Williams, the 2024 Super Bowl represents the pinnacle of their careers. As an exceptional blocker, Williams finds himself nearing the twilight of his playing days, making the Super Bowl an opportune moment to consider retirement.
However, Williams has different plans in store. In fact, the 2023 first-team All-Pro addressed inquiries about his retirement on February 8, indicating his intention to continue playing for at least another two years.
“I haven’t considered the end,” Williams remarked. “I’m committed to playing for at least the next couple of years, and I’ll reassess after that… Winning on Sunday will only fuel my desire to win another one next year.”
Williams will make his inaugural Super Bowl appearance as he wraps up his 13th season in the league. Having only reached the playoffs twice during his nine seasons with the Washington Commanders, Williams has now advanced to three consecutive NFC Championships, culminating in an opportunity to compete in football’s grandest stage.
Given Williams’ continued exceptional performance, there is no immediate pressure for retirement. San Francisco can strategize for the future once Williams ceases to earn All-Pro honors each season.
Williams is poised to receive a salary increase.
One likely factor motivating Williams to continue playing is the substantial amount of money he stands to earn. His contract with the 49ers, initially signed in 2021, was structured with a significant portion of the value backloaded and later restructured. As a result, the majority of the contract’s worth remains unpaid.
According to Spotrac, only $30.1 million of the $138 million contract has been paid out as a signing bonus. In terms of salary, Williams has earned $4.5 million over the initial three seasons. However, this is expected to change notably beginning in 2024.
Williams is set to receive $20.5 million in salary for the upcoming year, followed by $22.5 million in 2025. Additionally, due to the contract restructuring, the 49ers will continue to pay him $4.74 million each season going forward, although this amount was fully guaranteed regardless of the restructuring.
The salary isn’t completely guaranteed, so retiring would mean forgoing that amount. Moreover, if the 2025 figure is already significant, the salary escalates even more in the contract’s last year: if Williams stays on the roster, he will be owed $32.2 million.
Ex-49ers Quarterback Comments on 2024 Super Bowl
Alex Smith sees the 2024 Super Bowl as a showdown between his two former teams. Despite starting his career with the 49ers, he also had a notable tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs. Leading up to this year’s championship game, he openly expressed concerns about the 49ers’ prospects.
In an interview with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Smith voiced criticism of the 49ers’ defense. He pointed out that San Francisco’s inability to make significant defensive plays is a cause for concern, suggesting that the team may need to rely on winning high-scoring games.
“On January 30, Smith remarked, ‘The 49ers defense doesn’t make a big impact. They lack diversity. I believe… they will face challenges. The only way I see the Niners winning is if it becomes a high-scoring game, and once again, the Chiefs defense is improving.'”
“Although that may be true, San Francisco secured the NFC Championship with a high-scoring match. They’ve demonstrated their capability, but replicating it on February 11 will pose a challenge.”
