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49ers' Trent Williams Eyed 'Security' with New Contract; Didn't Try to 'Dodge' Camp

Paul Kasabian

San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams' holdout is officially over after he agreed to a restructured three-year, $82.66 million deal ($48 million at signing, $25.690 million signing bonus), per his agency, Elite Loyalty Sports.

In a chat with reporters Tuesday, Williams provided insight on the prolonged contract talks, telling the media that he was looking for "security" and wasn't "trying to dodge" training camp.

"It's a volatile league," he said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "A guy my stature and my age, I thought security was important, and that was all."

He added that he wasn't "trying to dodge" training camp, which is in the rearview mirror now.

"Obviously, I didn't think it would get this drawn out," Williams added.

"But it's a tough business, and this was a very intricate contract—I wouldn't call it a dispute— but a restructure. So, it took time to get to where both sides feel like like it's a win-win. We had discussions in minicamp and kinda knew that it could draw out a little bit, just because there was other people on the table—obviously, a lot of pressing needs. I didn't think it would go this long, but it is what it is."

Meanwhile, Williams also said teammate Ricky Pearsall getting shot influenced his decision to return sooner:

The 49ers are certainly happy that the 36-year-old, who is entering his 15th NFL season, is back in the mix. The 11-time Pro Bowler has earned first-team All-Pro honors for three straight seasons. Pro Football Focus also ranks him as the top offensive tackle in football.

The defending NFC champions had been without Williams (contract holdout), wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (contract hold-in) and running back Christian McCaffrey (calf strain).

But Williams is back, and Aiyuk is too after signing a four-year, $120 million contract extension. And McCaffrey, the reigning Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year, returned to practice Tuesday, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.

It's all great news for the 49ers, who nearly picked off the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl before falling 25-22 in overtime.

San Francisco looks like a Lombardi Trophy contender once again on paper, and its road back to the Big Game begins Monday evening when the team hosts the New York Jets.

   

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