How Shanahan phone call ended Williams' 49ers contract holdout


How Shanahan phone call ended Williams’ 49ers contract holdout originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It took one phone call.

After months of standing his ground while awaiting security with a new contract, Trent Williams received a phone call from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan last Sunday, eight days before San Francisco’s 2024 season opener, that ended the holdout.

“We need you,” Shanahan told the All-Pro left tackle, as The Athletic’s Dianna Russini shared in her latest column Saturday.

The 49ers dealt with two very public contract sagas this offseason — one with Williams and the other with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk showed up to training camp and even traveled with the team to Las Vegas for its preseason game against the Raiders. Ultimately, Aiyuk signed a four-year extension worth a reported $120 million.

But things were different with Williams, who made it clear he wouldn’t budge, even when the fines for not showing up to training camp stacked up.

“You know the only way you are taking me off the field is on a stretcher,” Williams responded to Shanahan during the phone call, per Russini. I am fully committed to giving you all of my physical and mental being if you can provide the security I need off the field for my family.

The two, whose special bond dates to their time together with the Washington Commanders, shared their thoughts and feelings, and heard out one another. Soon after, a deal was done.

Williams and the 49ers agreed to a three-year, $82.66 million reworked contract. Williams received the stability he longed for, and the 49ers had perhaps their most important player back.

Before that pivotal phone call, Williams and Shanahan gave each other the silent treatment for more than two months. No texts. No calls.

In fact, the last time they communicated came during an awkward exchange at Christian McCaffrey’s wedding, which Williams promised the star running back he wouldn’t miss.

At that point in late June, Williams and the 49ers were the furthest apart they had been during negotiations, Russini reported. Williams was anxious and jittery, knowing he would see his coach, as well as general manager John Lynch, at the reception.

Williams indeed bumped into Shanahan, and the two hugged and exchanged quick pleasantries, per Russini. After the wedding, it was back to the silent treatment while Williams’ agent kept discussions with the team private and out of the media.

Nine weeks later, Shanahan picked up the phone, made the call and sealed the deal.

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