The Seattle Seahawks may have built themselves into a Super Bowl contender while overcoming the nightmare that is the NFC West, but part of what will make a repeat so hard is the strength of their division. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers remain ready-made contenders who could knock them off their pedestal.
One of the biggest thorns in Seattle's side over the last few years has been 49ers left tackle Trent Williams, who has been spending some of the best years of his career (that will assuredly end with him getting a gold jacket in Canton) with San Francisco. Luckily for the Seahawks, they don't need to worry about Williams for much longer after this season.
Williams knows his career is coming to an end, as he acknowledged the 2026 season is likely going to be his last. With the Rams going all-in with the Myles Garrett deal, Seattle needed one of San Francisco's bigger heavy hitters to walk away. Williams is special, and losing him could have some serious knock-on effects on the 49ers' offense.
Seattle Seahawks nemesis Trent Williams may retire after 2026 season with 49ers
Williams has made 12 Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams (three First Team All-Pro nods) in his career with both Washington and San Francisco. Even as Williams enters his age-38 season in the 2026 campaign, he remains one of the best left tackles in football. Seattle's defensive line game plan is always focused on Williams whenever they lock in against San Francisco.
The Seahawks likely won't head into any of their 49ers games scared of the rest of San Francisco's offensive line. Right tackle Colton McKivitz might be the best non-Williams player on that unit, and it's not hyperbole to declare the interior offensive line one of the worst units across all the contenders out there in the NFC.
The Seahawks will give Williams everything he can handle in his swan song season. Even though Boye Mafe has left town, the Leonard Williams and Demarcus Lawrence combination up front will be a handful for anyone. Uchenna Nwosu and new addition Dante Fowler will also test how spry Williams is in his late 30s.
Seattle has gotten the better of Williams on multiple occasions, and he's reciprocated in kind. While this player-team rivalry has been great for fans, Mike Macdonald and the coaching staff probbaly are thrilled they don't have to worry about him for much longer.
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