Trent Williams, the offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers, is under fire after Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch announced his retirement on Monday.

In a game in October 2023, Williams—a three-time All-Pro and eleven-time Pro Bowler—blocked Vander Esch from behind, sending the experienced Cowboys linebacker head-first into linebacker Micah Parsons. Due to a cervical neck injury, Vander Esch was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Fans expressed their fury and blame on social media after seeing a video replay of the block. Due to his prior history of neck issues, Vander Esch was unable to pass a physical and his six-year NFL career came to an end.

“L. Vander Esch’s career is ended, according to #49ers LT Trent Williams, according to fans of the NFL. Sports enthusiast Travis King posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “They also promote Trent is a ‘dirty player.'” “Do Niners fans think Trent is a dirty player? I’m curious.”

Williams’ hit on Vander Esch, which occurred a week after the veteran 49ers tackle was fined, resulted in no punishment from the NFL. A week following the game in September 2023, he was fined $11,000 for punching a defensive lineman for the New York Giants.

Leighton Vander Esch Has Experienced Many Neck-Related Injuries in the Past
Vander Esch has a long history of neck issues dating back to his time as a Boise State student. It all started when he lost half of his sophomore season in 2016 due to a pinched nerve.

He missed seven games in 2019 due to a neck nerve issue he had while playing for the Cowboys. Following that season, Vander Esch underwent spinal stenosis surgery.

After breaking his collarbone in 2020 and playing in just 10 games during the season, Vander Esch’s situation didn’t get any better. Following an injury-free 2021, Vander Esch had to contend with a problem with his right shoulder nerve.

Born and raised in Idaho, Vander Esch made an impression as a three-sport standout in high school before committing to Boise State. During his career, Vander Esch recorded 188 tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles. In 2017, he was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year.

He was selected by Dallas with the 19th overall choice in the 2018 NFL Draft, and in his rookie season, he quickly became a second team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. Over the course of his career, Vander Esch accumulated 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions.

Trent Williams Plans to Play 2 More Seasons

Retirement speculation came up for Williams, 35, late in the 2023 season, but he said he plans to keep playing. That was also in spite of how the Super Bowl turned out, which the 49ers lost 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“I haven’t thought about the end, so I know I’m definitely in for the next couple of years,” Williams said on February 9 via NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco. “I’ll revisit it after that.”

“When you can achieve something that feels this good, you kind of get addicted to it, right? You want to achieve that award again. So I think that it will only make me want it more,” Williams added.

San Francisco saw the difference when Williams missed time due to injury last season. The 49ers went 0-3 from the game he went down against the Cleveland Browns, a 19-17 loss, in October 2023 until his return against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a 34-3 win, in November 2023.