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Trent Williams signs record-breaking six-year deal to remain with 49ers [report]

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© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports


The top priority of the 49ers’ offseason has been handled. After months of speculation over whether Trent Williams would stick around, we finally have confirmation.

According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, Williams will stay with the 49ers, signing an absolutely massive six-year, $138.06 million deal worth $23 million per year. Williams becomes the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history and ties David Bakhtiari’s league-high, $23 million per year average salary, but his total of $138 million quickly surpasses Bakhtiari’s brief record of $105.5 million.

Why the $0.06 million? David Bakhtiari was previously the holder of the highest salary per year at $23 million. It’s an extra $60,000 from the 49ers so that Williams can technically be the highest-paid offensive lineman by annual average value.

Though the nervousness around keeping Williams was understandable given that he’s arguably the league’s best tackle and tackles rarely, if ever make it to the open market, every indication was that Williams would return. He lauded praise over Kyle Shanahan and the front office during the season and after it, speaking glowingly of the organization at just about every opportunity.

What was evident about Williams’ situation is that while he wanted to get fair market value, he also  wanted to remain with the 49ers in a situation he finally felt good about after years with an organization he distrusted. That the interest was mutual.

Locking up Williams for the foreseeable future means that the 49ers now only have a hole at center to plug, with the reported pending retirement of Weston Richburg. A Kyle Shanahan reunion with former Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack wouldn’t seem too far-fetched.