Breaking: The sensational and controversial star player for the 49ers, Agrees to a three-year megacontract deal.

One phone call was required.

Trent Williams put an end to the chaos last Sunday, eight days before San Francisco’s 2024 season opening, when 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan called him. Williams had been holding out and standing his ground for months, waiting for stability with a new deal.

Shanahan said to the All-Pro left tackle, “We need you,” as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic in her most recent piece.

This offseason, the 49ers had to contend with two highly visible contract disputes: one involving Williams and the other with standout wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk attended training camp and even made the trip to Las Vegas with the club to play the Raiders in the preseason. In the end, a compromise was reached, and Aiyuk agreed to sign a rumored $120 million four-year agreement.

With Williams, however, things were different as he made it plain that he wouldn’t back down, even when the costs for missing camp accumulated.

Williams told Shanahan over the phone, “You know the only way you are taking me off the field is on a stretcher.” “I am fully committed to giving you all of my physical and mental being if you can provide the security I need off the field for my family.”

The two, who had a unique bond since playing together with the Washington Commanders in 2010 when Williams was a rookie, talked, listened, and shared ideas.

Not long after, a deal was completed.

Williams and the 49ers reached an agreement on a revised three-year deal for $82.66 million. Williams had found the stability he had been longing for, and the 49ers had their best player back.

For over two months before to that crucial phone conversation, Williams and Shanahan avoided speaking to one another. Not a text. Not a single call.