The San Francisco 49ers are set to open the upcoming season with significant changes on both sides of the ball after an underwhelming 2024 season.
But left tackle Trent Williams is one player who will be returning, and the 36-year-old said this week that if all goes to plan, he's not planning on hanging up the cleats on an already-illustrious NFL career until he hits a rare benchmark.
"I would love to play until I'm 40," Williams said Tuesday, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "I would love to make it to that special group. But if it's just not in my cards, it's not in my cards. But I'm going to do everything physically possible. I'm going to stay engaged, as you see, my first time here doing OTAs or even being at the offseason program in probably 10 years.
"So it's one of the things where I'm going to do everything possible to play as long and put a good product of football out there, and then, when it's not going my way, then I know. But I could play until I'm 41, you know, who knows? But that is a goal of mine. I'm definitely not going to retire with something left on the table."
Williams has aged like a fine wine through his 14 seasons played, continuing to perform as one of the elite offensive lineman in the league even as he moves into the latter half of his 30s.
Having been in the league since 2010, Williams earned a Pro Bowl nod in 11 straight seasons played starting with his third year, with that streak only ending in 2024 when he missed seven games due to a lingering ankle injury. He also broke a streak of three consecutive First-team All-pro selections from 2021-2023, all of which came after he turned 30.
Though he didn't play after Week 11, Williams was his usual efficient self when he was on the field last year. He earned an 85.6 overall PFF grade, ranking sixth among tackles, and allowed only one sack.
Considering the consistency with which Williams has continued to rank at the top of his position, it's no wonder he has confidence reaching his age-40 season is possible.
Whether he's able to play to that point and beyond, or has to retire earlier than preferred, Williams doesn't know for sure, and he won't waste time pondering the possibilities until necessary. His current extension keeps him a 49er through the 2026 season and he said he's not concerned about his contract and is "taking everything one year at a time."
"I just feel like I do myself and my teammates a disservice if I'm looking toward the end," he said. "I'm paid, people count on me to be here now. We got goals and aspirations as a team. I just don't think putting brain power toward that helps us get to where we want to go.
"So when it happens, it happens. I feel like one day coming in, I should know when it's getting that time. And then I do the responsible thing, and then let them know early enough so that they can make the adjustments needed."
When that day comes, the Niners will be forced to find an adequate replacement for one of the best offensive linemen in the game and a player who has captained their offense for the last five seasons.
But for now, with his age-37 season set to kick off in under three months, Williams hasn't started slowing down yet.
