Why the 49ers can't Franchise Tag Trent Williams

The 49ers just bought Williams' happiness -- for now.

Tell me who benefits from this deal.

This week, the 49ers restructured left tackle Trent Williams’ contract. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the 49ers advanced half of Williams’ $12.5 million base salary and guaranteed it.

#49ers LT Trent Williams officially signed his contract last night, one that was tweaked for the 2020 season to advance him half his cash and guarantee it, source said. He also passed his physical, a key part to all of this. pic.twitter.com/w51YJiwiU2

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 20, 2020

As part of the restructured contract, the 49ers also agreed not to give Williams the franchise tag in 2021, when he will become an unrestricted free agent, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

As part of his reworked contract with the 49ers, OT Trent Williams cannot be franchise tagged after this season, per source. The eventual goal for both sides remains a long-term deal for the 7-time Pro Bowler.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 23, 2020

Sounds like a double win for Williams.

He gets money now, which is good for him, because he refused to play in 2019 and earned very little. And, if he stays healthy through 2020, he will get a fat, multi-year contract in 2021 from some team which probably will make him the highest-paid offensive lineman of all time. The current highest-paid offensive lineman is Houston’s Laremy Tunsil, who earns $22 million per season. Williams is much better than him.

Meaning Williams could earn $23 million per season. Why would he settle for less?

I’m sure the 49ers would love to keep Williams past 2020, but how can they pay him $23 million per season, Jimmy Garoppolo $27 million per season and George Kittle $20 million per season? That’s what Kittle is worth, and he will be a free agent in 2021. And the salary cap might not rise much next year if fans can’t go to games. The 49ers probably can’t afford to keep all three.

So Williams probably will be a one-season rental. The 49ers made it more difficult to keep him past 2020 because they can’t tag him. He will be obscenely expensive. The 49ers lost leverage.

What motivated the 49ers to restructure Williams’ deal?

Simple: They need him happy next season.

Remember, Williams just sat out an entire year to spite Washington. He hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2013. Williams decides when Williams plays.

And the 49ers can’t afford him to take time off or turn on the organization. Their Super Bowl window is open now -- they need a full season of Williams at his best. Then he can leave and go wherever he wants. Just deliver the 49ers a Super Bowl championship first.

Smart play by the 49ers in the short term, because they’ve bought Williams’ happiness and motivation. But what’s the motivation for him to play through injury next season the way Joe Staley did? If Williams injures his hamstring, will he miss a month so he doesn’t make it worse and jeopardize his chances of getting a huge contract in 2021? If he injures his shoulder, will he shut himself down midseason and have surgery?

Why would Williams play injured for a team that probably won’t re-sign him?

I guess we’ll find out.