The San Francisco 49ers are going to have to face Myles Garrett twice a year for the foreseeable future after the Los Angeles Rams acquired the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade.
Veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams is among those who aren’t looking forward to that biannual matchup.
Advertisement
Williams was asked about the Garrett trade during a June 4 news conference at 49ers OTAs. He was candid about his reaction to it.
“Same as everybody,” Williams said with a smile. “Everybody that’s not in Rams country. Yeah, I mean, it sucks.”
Williams has faced Garrett only twice during the 2010 first-round pick’s 16-year career. Both times, the All-Pro edge rusher has given Williams a tough test.
In their first meeting – which occurred in 2023 – Garrett won 31% of his pass-rushing snaps against Williams, then a career-worst mark for the veteran offensive tackle, according to Pro Football Focus. In their 2025 meeting, Garrett notched a sack against Williams while also tallying four pressures and a 36% win percentage, per Pro Football Focus.
Advertisement
And as good as Garrett has been, Williams only expects the 30-year-old pass rusher to continue improving as he remains in the prime of his career.
“The scary part is he’s still a young player, so he’s still going to get better,” Williams told reporters. “I know it’s scary after seeing what he did last year. I’m never expecting to run into the same player. I know that we see him Week 1 in Australia. He probably will be a little bit better than he was the last time I seen him.”
“So, you know, just got to buckle up,” Williams added. “It’s going to be tough. I ain’t the only one that’s gotta block him. There’s 31 other teams that got the same news, so it is what it is.”
Meanwhile, Williams – who turns 38 in July – acknowledged the 2027 NFL season, after which his contract will expire, will “probably” be the last of his career.
Advertisement
But until then, Williams is ready to take on the challenge of facing Garrett, however difficult it may be.
“At the end of the day, you gotta go out there and play,” Williams said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers’ Trent Williams gives candid reaction to Myles Garrett trade
