LAS VEGAS – Left tackle Trent Williams has a chance to check the final box of his NFL career on Sunday.
Williams will make his Super Bowl debut when the 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. He already seems certain to one day bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, his sole focus is on achieving first-team honors in the sport.
Williams (35 years old) said he will return for the 15th season, and winning on Sunday will not change anything.
If anything, Williams believes winning a Super Bowl will only make him more determined to extend his NFL career.
“I didn't think about the ending, so I know I'm definitely going to keep going the next couple of years,” Williams said. “I'll reconsider it then.
“Winning on Sunday will make me want to win another title next year. When you can achieve something that looks that good, you kind of get addicted to it, right? You want to achieve that award again. So I think that will make me want it even more.”
Before the 49ers acquired Williams in a trade from Washington during the 2020 NFL Draft, he was already established as the league's best player.
However, while Pro Bowl selections have become an annual honor, he did not achieve All-Pro status during his nine seasons in Washington.
“Any time you win this league, you get more attention,” Williams said. “You get more games in prime time; they talk about you more on the sports channels. So I think that's what brought the spotlight.
Williams appeared in just two postseason games — both losses — during his time with Washington. When he takes the field for Super Bowl LVIII, Williams will appear in his ninth playoff game with the 49ers.
His elevated platform has raised awareness of his unique skills. Regarded as the best offensive lineman in football, Williams has been named a first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons.
“Before I got here, I went to seven straight Pro Bowls, so it wasn't like I was flying under the radar,” Williams said. “I didn't have first-team All-Pros.
“I didn't have the team. This is an award for the team more than anything else. They reward the guys who win first. I've always felt appreciated by my teammates. Being in California and in this market, there's now a bigger magnifying glass for me.”
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