When the Washington Redskins drafted Trent Williams in 2010, they booked on him being the cornerstone of their offensive line for at least a decade. That dream is pretty much deferred as the seven-time Pro Bowl tackle is holding out, waiting on a phone call from his agent saying he’s been traded.
Williams 31, is unhappy and rumors are floating that he’s not satisfied with his contract or the team’s medical staff, but we are yet to hear from Williams at this point. He has two years left on his current deal worth $23.35 million, which puts him at the seventh spot at his position.
The former Oklahoma Sooner did not report to camp and it seems that reconciliation for a new contract is all but out the window. It seems now the best option for the Skins’ would be is to trade the 10-year vet and get some value in return. There are three teams that could use a left tackle of his caliber, but what would the Redskins want in return for a 31-year old All-Pro?
The Los Angeles Chargers would be the first team that comes to mind because they just lost Russell Okung to a serious medical condition. Okung is suffering from a pulmonary embolism in his lungs which is a blockage of the pulmonary arteries. He may be out for an undisclosed amount of time, so the Chargers would need to get a tackle to block Philip Rivers’ blindside. Yes, they are in contract talks with Melvin Gordon but having a tackle keep your QB upright is pretty important.
Arizona is another team that could use a veteran to add to their offensive line. Rookie QB Kyler Murray will need time to make his throws, so adding Williams and moving D.J. Humphries to guard will give Murray more protection up front. It will also help in his development and give running back David Johnson bigger lanes to make plays. Arizona had one of the worst averages in yards from scrimmage in league history last season, so it would be a definite upgrade for at least two seasons.
The last team on my list would the Jets under new head coach Adam Gase. New York has veteran Kevin Beachum who started at left tackle last season, but he’s in the last year of his deal, so including him in a trade may be a smart move for the team. Like Murray, Sam Darnold will need protection in the pocket as he tries to pick up from a solid rookie campaign last season. Le’Veon Bell will also need running lanes to get him back on track after missing last season with the Steelers.
The Redskins could use this debacle as a learning tool and a building block. They have already started bringing in veterans such as Ereck Flowers and Donald Penn, getting ready for life after Williams. It may be a couple of years before they find a tackle with Williams’ type of production, but they will be getting rid of a distraction that a rebuilding team doesn’t need at any point during their growth process.
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