Trading for left tackle Trent Williams signified a monumental move Saturday in 49ers history.
Specifically, Joe Staley is expected to retire, after 13 seasons as not only their left tackle but often the franchise’s frontman during escapes from the NFL pits to twice reach the Super Bowl.
Staley told the 49ers prior to the draft he will retire because of health concerns, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Staley nor the 49ers have officially confirmed that, but an announcement is anticipated Saturday afternoon.
The 49ers, an hour into Saturday’s draft resumption, confirmed they’ve acquired Williams for a fifth-round selection (No. 156 overall) and a 2021 third-round pick, so long as he passes a physical. Williams did not play last season, disgruntled over Washington’s medical staff and its treatment for a cancerous growth on his scalp.
“I’m thankful this is over,” Williams told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “Thanks to Dan and the organization for all they’ve done for me. Still a lot of love for the fans and that locker room. Now I’m focusing on being the best player I can possibly be for the 49ers.”
A decade ago, Williams arrived as Washington’s first-round draft pick in 2010. Mike Shanahan was starting his first year there as coach, while his son, Kyle, arrived as offensive coordinator.
Now comes a reunion underway Kyle Shanahan, who’s entering his fourth season as 49ers coach.
“Trent Williams is ready to get back to competing in the NFL and is glad to be part of a great organization like the San Francisco 49ers,” Williams’ agent, Vincent Taylor, said in a statement.
Two years ago, the 49ers used their top pick on Mike McGlinchey, perceived at the time as Staley’s eventual successor. McGlinchey has since been a sturdy starter at right tackle.
Williams will slide into a 49ers offense that has established itself as a run-oriented force, though the passing attack has added promise with Thursday’s first-round selection of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to complement Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite targets George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.
Williams, who turns 32 on July 19, earned annual Pro Bowl honors from 2012 to 2018 before sitting out last season. He did not report to Washington until Oct. 29 before the trade deadline and was promptly placed on the reserve/non-football-injury list.
Williams has only one season remaining on his contract, at a $12.5 million salary, and it is widely believed he was seeking a contract extension.
Staley, who turns 36 on Aug. 30, has made six Pro Bowls and played in the fifth-most games (181) among the 49ers’ all-time offensive linemen. He missed nine games last season but returned from a broken leg and a surgically repaired finger to participate in the 49ers’ playoff run, which culminated in the NFC Championship and a crushing defeat in Super Bowl LIV.
A resounding theme after the Super Bowl loss was how teammates expressed sorrow for Staley, the only 49er who played in Super Bowl losses this past season and on their 2012 team.
“This is super disappointing. This is very hard being in this moment right now,” Staley said immediately after the 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. “You put your entire heart and soul and whole entire life into trying to be a Super Bowl champion, and you get toward the end of your career and realize how rare these opportunities are.”
General manager John Lynch said Monday the 49ers have been in “good contact” with Staley, who’s been at his offseason home near San Diego. Lynch said the 49ers were “encouraged” Staley would return for Year 14.
“We’ve heard nothing that would lead us to believe that Joe’s not going to play. So, we are encouraged with that,” Lynch said. “We’ll see where that goes. That is something with each and every player particularly as they get closer, you give them that time that they need, but we are encouraged that Joe’s going to be a part of us moving forward.”
Staley signed a contract extension last June through 2021 and was slated to make $10.6 million in salary this year.
While Staley missed nine games last season, the 49ers opted not to move McGlinchey and instead auditioned first-year tackles in Justin Skule and Daniel Brunskill. Shon Coleman re-signed last month to again vie for a backup role.
The 49ers had made only two picks entering Saturday, by virtue of their first-round selections: defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (No. 14 overall) and Aiyuk (No. 25). They were idle Friday, having traded away second- and third-round picks in last year’s trades for Dee Ford and Emmanuel Sanders, the latter of whom also required a fourth-round pick to the Denver Broncos.
The 49ers’ remaining draft picks are in the sixth round (No. 210) and seventh round (No. 217)
Check back for more on this developing story.