The long national nightmare between offensive tackle Trent Williams, one of the best at his position in the NFL over the last decade, and the Washington Redskins, is over. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported, Washington has traded the disgruntled tackle to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick in 2020 and a third-round pick in 2021.
Williams and the Redskins have a negative recent history. In 2019, it was reported that Williams had a growth or tumor removed from his head that doctors worried at the time might be malignant. Williams was reportedly unhappy with the ways in which the team’s medical staff handled the potential seriousness of the growth or tumor, and that led to Williams sitting out for the 2019 season.
Other teams had been involved in trade talks with the Redskins — the Buccaneers, Browns, and Vikings had spoken with Washington about the seven-time Pro Bowler — but in the end, it was the 49ers — whose head coach, Kyle Shanahan, was the Redskins’ offensive coordinator in 2010 when the team selected Williams with the fourth overall pick out of Oklahoma — who were able to make the trade happen.
Shanahan has one of the most multiple and diverse offenses in the league, and there were rumors that left tackle Joe Staley might retire after San Francisco’s Super Bowl LIV loss to the Chiefs. 49ers general manager John Lynch said in February that he thought Staley might return. But according to Schefter, Staley will retire due to health concerns, which obviously makes the Williams trade of paramount importance.
If healthy, Williams provides a serious upgrade to San Francisco’s offensive line, though due to injuries, he hasn’t played a full 16-game season since 2013. Williams carries a $14.5 million cap hit for the 2020 season in the last year of the five year, $66 million contract extension he signed in 2015. So, the 49ers may be talking with Williams about a longer-term deal in the near future.
Soon after the trade news broke, the Redskins selected LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles with the 108th overall pick — the second selection in the fourth round. Charles has first- or second-round talent, though he’s had disciplinary issues in college, but he’s an estimable talent.