Trent Williams sat at his locker on Tuesday with an orthopedic boot on his left foot and crutches resting on an adjacent locker.
The optics didn’t look great, but the San Francisco 49ers All-Pro left tackle ruled out the injury he suffered in Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the Eagles in the championship game NFC, saying it was “very minor”.
getting pretty grueling
However, Williams, 34, a 12-year veteran, said the record of a second straight deep playoff series that culminated in a 20-game season had taken a toll on him. In fact, Williams declined to say he would be back in 2023 when asked if he was planning to retire.
“It’s been a long season,” Williams said. “And after two long seasons in a row, it’s getting pretty grueling for a 34-year-old guy like me. I will be 35 at the start of the season (2023). You kind of think about what life is like after football. I’ve done this every year of my life since second grade.
“You get to that age, especially at the end of a year like this, exhausting as it is. And still not quite where you want to be. I understand. You get to that age, but honestly, I’m just taking it one day at a time and we’ll see how it goes.
getting pretty grueling
It’s not uncommon for NFL players in their 30s to consider retiring immediately after one season. Williams would walk away big money: He signed a six-year, $138 million contract in 2021 and is expected to earn $39.45 million in base salary over the next two seasons.
But he admitted on Tuesday that it’s been harder for him to consistently maintain the same level of excitement throughout the season.
getting pretty grueling
“I would be lying if I said it’s not,” said Williams, who was first-team All-Pro for the second straight season. “Yes it does. It’s not hard to get up for the NFC championship (game), or the playoffs or something like that. But, yeah, the daily routine becomes pretty redundant (after) you do it for a long time.
“But I am blessed. I’m lucky to have played this game for as long as I could. And whatever God has for me in the future, I know I will have. But to answer your question, yes, it almost feels like a replay.
getting pretty grueling
Williams was ejected with about four minutes remaining in the NFC Championship Game for knocking Philadelphia safety K’Von Wallace to the ground. Wallace, who was grabbing wide receiver Deebo Samuel by his face mask, was also ejected.
“Every time we compete, tempers flare,” Williams said. “Things happen. I haven’t really thought about it since.”
Awards Season: All-Pro pass thrower Nick Bosa won the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers’ most prestigious team honor, given to the player who best exemplifies courage and inspiration and is elected by the players.
Bosa was corrected when he said he thought the coaching staff voted for the award.
“Yeah, I guess I don’t know too much about that,” Bosa said. “But just the fact that I was chosen out of all the amazing people in this room really hits me hard. It’s awesome.
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