Trent Williams still has suitors in the NFL, just not ones that are willing to make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league, especially when it costs them a high-round draft pick just to get him.
The Cleveland Browns are one such team that has an interest in trading for the seven-time Pro-Bowler, but they have been unwilling to do so because the cost is too high at the moment. The Redskins are reportedly asking for a second- or third-rounder just to acquire him, and whoever trades for him will then have to give the 32-year-old a contract extension, where he reportedly is asking for $18-20 million per season.
Something’s got to give — both of those things aren’t going to happen.
According to Mary Kay Cabot, with Cleveland.com, the Browns are still interested in trading for Williams, but they won’t do anything until the asking price drops, be it by the team or the player.
The Browns explored trading for Williams after the Redskins gave him permission to seek a deal two weeks ago. He is still a possibility if the Redskins lower their asking price and/or if Williams is willing to accept less in an extension. If the Browns surrender a higher pick, they’d likely want a longer-term deal, which would effectively take them out of the strong left tackle market in the draft.
A trade for Williams makes a lot of sense for the Browns, as former Redskins offensive line coach Bill Callahan is now in Cleveland. The team also is ripe with offensive and defensive weapons, but the offensive line has been a massive hole, and QB Baker Mayfield has struggled because of it.
However, nothing is likely to happen until either Williams or the Redskins gives in. Washington has the edge in negotiations due to patience and the lack of a career clock, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will end up winning this staring contest. We know that Trent has suitors in the league, but they just aren’t willing to pay his price as of yet.
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