Washington Redskins Will Let Trent Williams Seek A Trade, But He Will Not Leave Quietly

The saga began on April 1, 2019. And it just might be coming to an end almost one year later. 

The Washington Redskins announced last week that they are going to allow offensive lineman Trent Williams to seek a trade. At the beginning of the 2019 season, Williams had two years remaining on a five-year, $66 million contract extension that he signed with the team in 2015. The seven-time Pro Bowler has already been paid all $30 million of the fully guaranteed money he was owed. With only one season left on his contract, the Redskins have decided to finally give Williams what he has been asking for: a trade.

"Trent is excited to resume his Pro Bowl career with a team interested in a player of his stature," Williams' agent, Vincent Taylor, told The Athletic (subscription). "We really appreciate and respect [owner] Dan Snyder for the chance to seek another opportunity. This isn't about a contract, but time for a change of scenery."

While we can agree to disagree about whether or not Williams’ departure is about his contract, most fans probably echo Williams’ personal sentiments on the situation.

"I'm just happy this situation seems to be heading towards an end," Williams wrote in a text message to ESPN’s John Keim.

The Redskins should be excited about what Williams’ departure could mean for their organization. According to Over the Cap, the Redskins will have more than $73 million in cap space once Williams has been traded. NFL Network also reported that Washington wants “fair draft compensation” in return for the left tackle. Considering the Redskins do not have a second-round draft pick after trading up last year to draft DE Montez Sweat, acquiring a second-rounder would be valuable. Williams can make the only NFL team he has ever known a much stronger force not by staying, but by finally leaving. 

And leaving is what Williams has wanted for most of the past year since he expressed concerns over how the Redskins’ medical staff handled his medical condition. Williams had a cancerous growth removed from his scalp last offseason and his relationship with former president Bruce Allen and the Redskins medical staff worsened in the fallout. The Redskins have since fired Allen and longtime head athletic trainer Larry Hess, but Williams’ disillusionment with the organization remains, perhaps because he has only one year and $12.5 remaining on his contract that is not guaranteed.

According to ESPN, multiple sources said that Williams wants to become the highest-paid tackle in the NFL because of his resume. The Redskins have every reason to reinforce the notion that Williams deserves to be paid that much because the more value Williams has to a potential team, the more Washington stands to gain in the trade.

Let’s take a look at the teams that have reportedly expressed interest in trading for Williams. 

Cleveland Browns

The Browns tried to make a trade for Williams last season only to have Allen refuse to hear their offer. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns now have a renewed interest in Williams. With former Redskins interim head coach Bill Callahan now in Cleveland coaching the offensive line, there is a familiarity with, and connection to, Williams. The Browns are in need of a left tackle and also in a strong position to offer the Redskins an attractive deal. They have one selection in both the first and second round and two third-round picks. With $60 million in salary-cap space, they also have the money to pay Williams what he is looking for. But with a new general manager this season, Cleveland is no longer being spearheaded by John Dorsey and its priorities as far as how it spends its money and who it chooses to spend it on may have changed since last year.

New York Jets

The Athletic reports that the Jets are among the teams interested in Williams. The Jets are reportedly not at the top of the list to acquire Williams but conversations are ongoing. Like the Browns, the Jets also have one pick each in the first and second round in the NFL Draft and two third-round picks. The Jets have about $50 million in salary-cap space and have actively been trying to bolster their offensive line in hopes of increasing the productivity of quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Le’Veon Bell next season.

Los Angeles Chargers

After recently trading left tackle Russell Okung, the Chargers are searching for a replacement. In Okung’s absence, the Chargers are in real need of left tackle and Williams could provide a strong veteran presence on an offensive line that will be protecting a new quarterback at the helm for the first time in 16 years. The hiccup here is that the Chargers used a third-round pick to draft Trey Pipkins in 2019 and consider him to be the left tackle of their future. A trade for Williams would make Pipkins an afterthought for the remainder of his rookie deal. The Chargers will have to weigh their need for a tackle with how they feel about diminishing Pipkin’s priority to the organization.

Reports have circulated about other teams potentially in the mix to trade for Williams but the Browns, Jets, and Chargers are the most likely, and logical, contenders at this point. ESPN’s John Keim reports that Williams is looking for an average annual salary of at least $20 million. There are other teams around the league in need of a left tackle but few are prepared to give Williams what he is asking for. For a 31-year-old guard who has not played since the 2018 season, Williams presents a gamble for teams, whether he sees it that way or not. The Redskins want the draft compensation commensurate with Williams’ contract demands, but they also want to close a long-overdue chapter in their organization.

Although Williams was consistent on the field, being selected to the Pro Bowl seven consecutive seasons from 2012-18, his off-the-field actions have routinely demanded attention throughout this past year. It should come as no surprise that trading Williams will not be easy and he will not leave quietly.