The Redskins’ asking price for offensive lineman Trent Williams is “starting” at a second-rounder, reports ESPN’s Josina Anderson (via Twitter).
However, the front office’s demands shouldn’t necessarily be blamed for a lack of a trade; rather, as Anderson points out, “a trade has been slowed” by Williams’ contractual demands. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport echoes those sentiments (Twitter link), noting that the “asking price on a new contract is more of an issue now than Washington’s ask on trade compensation.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean a team will simply hand over a second-round pick. Rapoport notes that teams still aren’t willing to meet the Redskins’ asking price. However, the reporter believes a potential suitor would be more flexible if the offensive lineman were to agree to a reasonable new deal.
We learned earlier this month that the organization was giving their perennial Pro Bowl left tackle permission to seek a trade. At the same time, Williams is seeking a new contract, and he wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid tackle. Williams is set to make $12.5MM in the final year of his current deal. The Browns and Jets have been mentioned as suitors for the veteran lineman.
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. The 31-year-old ended up sitting out the entire 2019 season.
I don’t think the browns pull the trigger on Williams at all. The browns have the 10th overall selection with what seems to be 4 solid LT options. Williams hasn’t played in over a year and I don’t see why the browns would commit to $18MM for multiple years when there may be superior options for much less at 10 overall. Plus browns have to give up picks for him? No way. Unless you are ok trading Njoku for him or something.
Ya Redskins are going to have to settle for a 4th rounder or like you said someone like Njoku.
Cant believe they wouldnt take a 2nd from the Browns last year
Yes I agree. A 2nd rounder was a solid offer for Williams on a contract that wasn’t going to get renewed at any time on a rebuilding team. Would have been the 42nd overall selection in this year’s draft.
I wouldn’t mind my Jets giving up a 3rd rounder (we have 2, both early in the round) for him but I’d rather take a shot at someone like Thuney first.
I’m floored by the players. They all demand long term contracts, only to realize their contracts are outdated in 2 years. And all hate the tag even though it pays them top coin in their position. Didn’t anyone see how Cousins played the system? Same for the former Jets CB, 2 tags and then a short deal. He’s a FA again 2 years later. For the past 10 years, I wouldn’t;t have singed a deal for longer than 3 years. Who cares what team you play for, max your pay as much as possible guys.
You can’t compare a qb to any other position.
His point doesn’t depend on position…just smarts in knowing how do work the system regardless of whether its a QB, Linebacker, or Guard.
Using Cousins was just an example of a smart guy knowing how to maximize his value and getting paid for doing so.
Cousins lost his chance to become a well-liked local celebrity and build an endorsement profile with his shenanigans in DC. Now he’s an object of scorn in Minnesota as well. The NFL’s least loved quarterback. Cousins grabbing for the cash every time is about the most short sighted management of a football career I’ve seen.
The owners grab for cash, why not the players? Loyalty…please, the owners cut players w/o regard. Be loyal to yourself and family only.
They all worry about injury for some reason. How can agents not realize all these contracts are 2 or 3 year deals anyway? Maximize your prime years with short term deals, like Cousins, or front load your earnings by signing ST deals… just hope for no injuries. If these guys get injured, often times they end up getting released anyway, like Kirksey just recently.
The agents have a new crop of FA’s every offseason. So they’re happy to do long term deals. The players have to choose for shorter contracts to take advantage of the numbers rising every offseason.
They do. The lengthy deals are for the teams’ benefit—cap purposes.
In a contact sport, “hope for no injuries” is some really bad advice. And what if they do get injured? Then instead of being underpaid by a few million, they’re broke.
They’re broke because they didn’t manage their money. All rookies have access to the best business schools, attorneys, media relationships, sponsors in their city. So if they go broke, it’s because they think they can truck 157lbs of weed from Mexico or make other terrible investments.
I’m advocating for short term, higher AAV, guaranteed dollars. The injury risk is there regardless. Someone signing a 6 year deal or a 3 year deal and getting an injury in year 2 of the contract will likely result in a release the following year. I am simply a suggesting taking less years but maximizing the dollars earned during those two seasons… like Le’Veon Bell, his excuse for not playing on a one year $16MM deal was bc of the injury risk. How foolish. He could have gotten injured and still got a similar contract he signed in NY… it’s great advice. Kirk Cousins should be the poster boy of contract negotiations.
This time last year was Williams worth being near the top paid tackle? Yes. After sitting out for year at 31 years old is he still a top tier tackle? Maybe? Just very risky but potentially big move.
Simply regardless of him being 31, there’s going to be a value difference between a RT and LT and a RT isn’t going to garnish that kind contract be it 1 year or multiple years. Plus his ability to play the left side is terribly suspect not only because of his not playing in 2019, but the fact that in the last several seasons, he was moved around the line to the Right Tackle and Guard postions for the Redskins. Was that due to a slip in ability? Only the Redskins know and they ain’t telling!
I follow the Redskins pretty closely and I don’t remember Williams ever playing any position other than LT.
I believe it was Flowers they were shuffling around but the entire OL is basically a turnstile so it really doesn’t matter.