Overview
- San Francisco passed on Williams’ $10 million option bonus by the Friday deadline, raising his 2026 cap figure from about $38.8 million to roughly $46–47 million, per multiple reports.
- The unexercised option converts into base pay, lifting Williams’ 2026 base salary from approximately $22.12 million to $32.12 million, according to Spotrac.
- ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the 49ers are not overly concerned about the higher charge and plan to pursue a revised contract before next month’s NFL Draft.
- A new agreement could free significant space in 2026, with an extension saving around $16.8 million or a restructure about $15.7 million, per Over the Cap figures cited by Yahoo Sports.
- Trading or releasing Williams is considered financially unattractive given an estimated $34.15 million dead-cap hit and only about $4.69 million in savings, as the San Francisco Chronicle noted, while the 12-time Pro Bowler remains a top-graded lineman and GM John Lynch has voiced a desire to keep him.