If you’ve watched a San Francisco 49ers game recently, you’ve probably seen a 320-pound human being move with the grace of a dancing bear and the power of a freight train. That’s Trent Williams. He’s the guy making elite defensive ends look like high schoolers. But when you see him dominating on every single snap, it’s only natural to wonder: how old is Trent Williams exactly?
Because let's be real—the way he plays doesn't match the math. Usually, by the time an offensive tackle hits a certain age, they’re looking for a comfortable chair on a TV set, not hunting down linebackers in the open field.
The Short Answer: Trent Williams’ Current Age
As of January 2026, Trent Williams is 37 years old.
He was born on July 19, 1988, in Longview, Texas. For those keeping track of the NFL timeline, that means he’s been in the league since 2010. That is a lifetime in professional football. To put it in perspective, when Williams was drafted fourth overall by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), some of the rookies he’s blocking for today were still in elementary school.
He’s currently the oldest active player on the 49ers roster, and honestly, he’s one of the oldest starters in the entire NFL. But "old" is a relative term here. If you ask any pass rusher who has to line up across from him, they’ll tell you he doesn't feel a day over 25.
Breaking Down the Timeline
- Birth Date: July 19, 1988
- Draft Year: 2010 (Round 1, Pick 4)
- Current Season: 2025-2026 NFL Season
- Years of Experience: 16 Seasons
Why Everyone is Obsessed With His Age
The reason people keep searching for how old is Trent Williams isn't just curiosity. It's because he’s defying the laws of physics and biology.
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Most offensive linemen start to see a massive decline in lateral quickness once they hit 32 or 33. Their knees get "heavy." Their recovery time triples. Williams, on the other hand, just finished a 2025 regular season where he was once again named to the Pro Bowl—his 12th selection, which officially broke a tie for the most ever by an offensive tackle.
He’s not just "hanging on." He’s still arguably the best left tackle in the world.
Think about that. At 37, he is the gold standard. We’re talking about a guy who underwent a life-threatening battle with cancer (a rare form called DFSP) back in 2019. That ordeal cost him an entire year of his career and almost his life. Most people thought that was the end. Instead, it was a reboot. Since joining the 49ers in 2020, he has somehow gotten better.
How Much Longer Will He Play?
This is the $38.8 million question.
Actually, that’s literally the question. Williams is entering the 2026 offseason with a massive cap hit of $38.8 million. For a 49ers team that is famously tight on cash—thanks to big contracts for guys like Nick Bosa and the looming Brock Purdy extension—that number is a giant elephant in the room.
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But here’s the kicker: Williams doesn't want to retire.
In late December 2025, he told reporters, “I’m nowhere near done, so I’ve got a few more years. I’m not leaving. I’m not going nowhere.” He has been very vocal about his goal to play until he is 40.
The 40-Year-Old Benchmark
Very few tackles make it to 40. Andrew Whitworth did it with the Rams and won a Super Bowl in his final game. That seems to be the blueprint Williams is following. To get there, he’ll likely need a contract restructure or a short-term extension this spring.
The 49ers have a choice. Do they ride out the huge cap hit, or do they bet that a 38-year-old Trent Williams is still better than 95% of the league? Given that he was still a top-3 ranked tackle by Pro Football Focus (PFF) this past season, the bet seems pretty safe.
The "Silverback" Legacy
You don't get the nickname "Silverback" by being soft.
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Williams has built a career on being the most athletic big man in the room. Even at 37, his 40-yard dash time from the 2010 combine (a ridiculous 4.81 seconds) still haunts the dreams of defenders. He still pulls on screen plays and outruns wide receivers to the block.
It’s rare to see a player’s age become a badge of honor rather than a liability. Usually, when a commentator mentions a player's age, it’s followed by a clip of them getting beat. With Williams, it’s followed by a clip of him pancaking a defender into the turf.
What’s Next for Trent Williams?
The 49ers are currently in the thick of the 2026 playoffs, and Williams is the literal anchor of that offense.
If you're wondering what to watch for, keep an eye on the 49ers' front office movements before April 1, 2026. That’s when a $10 million option bonus is due. If the team pays it or restructures his deal, it’s a clear signal that they believe "Silverback" has at least two or three more elite years left in the tank.
The Actionable Reality:
If you are a fan or a fantasy owner, don't let the "37" number scare you. In the world of NFL longevity, there are outliers—guys like Tom Brady or Jerry Rice—who simply don't age like normal humans. Trent Williams is the offensive line version of that.
The best way to track his future is to monitor the NFL Transaction Wire during the first week of March 2026. Any movement on his contract will tell you exactly how many more years of dominance we can expect from the greatest tackle of this generation.