Trent Williams Is 37 and Still Dominating. His Retirement Timeline Just Got Real.

The San Francisco 49ers have a 37-year-old left tackle who still plays like he’s in his prime. That’s not normal. Offensive linemen usually fall off a cliff by 34. Trent Williams is out here posting a 92.2% pass-block win rate and a 79.5% run-block win rate in 2025, which led all top-ten tackles and ranked sixth overall at the position.

ESPN’s latest poll of league insiders put Williams at No. 2 among all offensive tackles heading into 2026. Only one guy is ranked ahead of him. Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano recently called the Williams-Colton McKivitz duo the best tackle pairing in the NFL. That sounds about right given how McKivitz has settled in on the right side. A lot of that success traces back to Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, which knows how to get the most out of its O-line, but Williams is the engine.

Coaches still see the same guy

One NFC defensive coach told ESPN there’s basically no drop-off. “I don’t see a lot of drop-off—he still operates without needing any help in pass protection, still dominates defenders, and retains light feet for his size and the capacity to control the game.” That’s the kind of scouting report you expect for a 28-year-old, not someone who’s been in the league since 2010.

Some scouts point to his age as a red flag. They’re technically correct — father time always wins. But the people who actually game-plan against him every week don’t see it. Williams still moves like a man who can handle Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons without a chip from a tight end. That’s rare.

The family conversation is getting loud

Here’s where it gets complicated. Williams himself admitted that his current two-year, $50 million extension through 2027 will “probably” be his last NFL contract. He called the idea of retiring “scary.” His daughter is getting closer to college age, and the pull to be around for that part of her life is real. He’s torn between playing until his body says stop and walking away while he’s still elite.

That’s a hard choice. Most players hang on too long and become a shell of themselves. Williams could go out on top, but he also clearly loves the game. The 49ers have him locked up for two more years, which gives everyone some time. But the clock is ticking louder than ever.

For now, San Francisco gets to keep rolling out one of the best left tackles in NFL history. The window won’t last forever. They know it. He knows it.