49ers' Joe Staley Announces Retirement After Trent Williams Trade with Redskins

Longtime San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley announced his retirement on Saturday due to "his body breaking down."

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported Staley was expected to retire earlier Saturday.

Staley reportedly informed the Niners of his intention ahead of time, which is why they traded a 2020 fifth-round pick and 2021 third-round pick to the Washington Redskins for offensive tackle Trent Williams on Saturday.

The 49ers selected Staley with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft, and he went on to spend all 13 of his NFL seasons in San Francisco, becoming a six-time Pro Bowler.

Staley started all 181 of the games he appeared in during his NFL career and went five consecutive years from 2011 to 2015 without missing a single contest.

Durability has been more of an issue in recent years, though, with Staley missing time in three of the past four seasons. That included nine missed games last season because of a broken fibula suffered early in the year.

Staley managed to return, however, and started at left tackle for the 49ers in their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Central Michigan standout will step away from football without a championship ring to his credit, although he did appear in a pair of Super Bowls with the Niners.

With Staley out, Williams will likely step in to replace him at left tackle, while 2018 first-round pick Mike McGlinchey will continue to hold down the right tackle spot.

Williams is four years younger than Staley at 31, but he sat out all of last season because of a contract dispute with the 49ers and can become a free agent after the 2020 season.

The seven-time Pro Bowler could prove to be an upgrade from Staley or at least a lateral move if the 49ers are willing and able to keep him over the long haul, but Staley's steadiness and consistent contributions at left tackle will still be missed.