A Trent Williams resolution could finally be in the works. The Redskins are giving their perennial Pro Bowl left tackle permission to seek a trade, Dianna Russini of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
The team approved the request Thursday. Williams has not played since the 2018 season, sitting out in 2019 due to a conflict with Redskins management. Although Ron Rivera‘s hiring has prompted a thaw in Williams’ relationship with the franchise, the sides appear headed for a divorce.
As was the case last year, no guaranteed money remains on Williams’ deal. His 2015 extension made him the league’s highest-paid offensive lineman, but the tackle market has changed somewhat since then. Williams, however, has not been as reliable as he once was. The seven-time Pro Bowler missed 13 games from 2016-18 and became embroiled with previous Washington president Bruce Allen because of a health scare in 2019. However, proven offensive linemen receive hefty payments annually. And Williams made the Pro Bowl every year from 2012-18.
Entering his age-32 season, Williams wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid tackle. That would now mean a deal north of Lane Johnson‘s $18MM-per-year pact. Williams is set to make $12.5MM in the final year of his current deal.
Teams were involved in the Williams sweepstakes last year, but Allen did not pull the trigger on a trade. The now-Rivera-led Redskins will be in position to obtain draft compensation, although Williams’ stock is probably not on the level it once was. That said, tackle-needy teams — like the Jets or Browns — may be interested. Cleveland was in the mix last year, but no team evidently was willing to meet Washington’s asking price of a first-round pick.
It will be interesting what price the new-look Redskins front office sets for their disgruntled franchise left tackle. The upcoming draft features an unusually high number of early-first-round tackle prospects, potentially diminishing Williams’ value further. The veteran market will now include Jason Peters, but both Anthony Castonzo and Andrew Whitworth are tentatively expected to return to their respective teams.
Williams will now play a key role in the offensive line market, and his lengthy impasse with the Redskins may finally end soon. Once it does, Washington will become one of the teams in need of a left tackle.
Curious which teams have the special helmets that fit him properly…
The Browns may have some special helmets that they didn’t have time to use as weapons.
AB might know
Redskins should have saw how this was going to play out way back in July. Had they traded him then they would have two first rounds picks going into the upcoming draft.
Not true, the Redskins wanted a 1st for him last year and the most anyone wanted to give them was a 2nd round pick by the Browns. If one 1st was too much, then two 1st round picks is way out of the question.
One first rounder from a trade + their existing first rounder = 2 first round picks. He wasn’t suggesting they would get 2 picks as a return for Williams
He didnt pass his physical so any deal was null anyways
dont think hes in a position to top Lanes contract. do think that he can get a new contract paying him more and guaranteed $ for about 3-4 years.
however skins have to relent on the first round asking price on him. just don’t see any team giving that up for him.
Both sides were wrong last offseason. I’m not sure of the solution, but what high end FA wants to sign there? Its been a dormant franchise for a long time.
The Redskins best hope for attracting free agents is to offer free tickets to the Capitals and Nationals games.
One of the last home games last year the fans screamed ‘SELL THE TEAM, SELL THE TEAM, SELL THE TEAM’! I despise dan. he ruined my team.
Except for the fact that it’s his team and you pay him for the privilage of watching his team… Homer fans don’t understand basic concepts.
The only thing I knowingly pay for is the red zone. I haven’t supported Dan financially anyway.
At least he spends money on his team. Just clueless how to use it
Queue Urinating Trees “Fuck You Spanos”
The former general manager Bruce Allen (son of coaching great George Allen) is a hard drinker and had the trait of rubbing players and fans the wrong way. He’s gone now. Snyder made one big mistake (the RGIII trade) but otherwise doesn’t intervene much in football matters. With Allen out of the way and a real football guy in Rivera in charge, there’s no reason for Redskins fans to be up in arms.
One of the issues with Redskins fans is that they are among the most spoiled, petulant and self-destructive fans of any team in professional sports. Past success and their location in the nation’s capital has turned Redskins fans into chronic crybabies. They overreact to everything. A bit of success will turn them back into Bandwagon Charlies though.
Bro this chalupa is da illz
You’ll be illz on the toilet in a few hours as well
It will be a high 4 or maybe a low 3 cuz you still have to pay him…6 first round tackles this year…no value for william
Then he can hold out again, make no money, and try to enter the market as a 33 year old who hasn’t played in 2 years. The Skins have more leverage than some people think.
Get a 2nd rounder and move on.
I doubt hes worth that. Taking a year off killed his value
Trent to the Browns for Houston’s third and a conditional sixth rounder. Who says no?
Bolles and a 3rd rounder for Williams. Elway with another great trade!!
Doubtful since same division, but Alshon for him? Give Dillard another year and let him rotate in case of injuries since they could be losing Peters and Big V. Could make an amazing Oline.
They’d probably rather just give Dillard the starting job, but other than that I think it’s actually a good offer. The Redskins need a big-bodied receiver to help out Haskins anyway.
If he’s going to require a contract making him the highest paid offensive tackle in the league, his trade value is very low.
4th at best. There’s no leverage.
For a fourth, the Redskins let Williams hold out another year (possibly even blocking his contract from tolling). If/when Williams ever plays again, the Redskins get a compensatory third-round pick. Williams has lost the plot and way over-estimated his value.
Last year he was still fresh news and about thirty years old. This year he’s thirty-two before training camp. After the LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown fiascos, followed by the successful Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley holdouts, star players have an exaggerated sense of what’s possible.
Note that LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown, Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley’s contracts and moves have done nothing for the signing team (team performance worse than the season before signing/extending them). I imagine GM’s are slowly learning their lesson. Giving into expensive early extensions doesn’t make football sense and totally disrupts team discipline.
I think it had more to do with him not passing physical than Redskins holding out for better offer.