Trent Williams was supposed to play for the Washington NFL organization forever. For his first nine seasons, things went well between Williams and the organization. Washington’s No. 4 overall pick from the 2010 NFL draft was a perennial Pro Bowler and consistently a bright spot for the team.
However, things changed when Washington’s then-medical staff misdiagnosed a cancerous tumor on his scalp. Williams held out during the 2019 offseason, and when he reported to the team ahead of the NFL trade deadline, then-team president Bruce Allen placed Williams on the non-football injury list.
Williams made it clear his issue was with Allen, not then-owner Daniel Snyder. When Snyder fired Allen after the season, there was hope that new head coach Ron Rivera could mend fences with Williams.
The fences were never mended, and while it’s easy to blame Rivera for that, it’s unclear if Snyder would have ever given Williams a new contract after he had continuously badmouthed the organization.
Things have gone well since then for Williams, as he’s been named first-team All-Pro twice and is in the playoffs every season.
On Sunday, Williams returned to FedEx Field for the first time since his trade during the 2020 NFL draft. He acknowledged there were some emotions, but mostly, it was just another game with so much having passed. And while he is happy in San Francisco, he is thankful for his 10 years in Washington.
“When they dealt me away for nothing, I still had a lot left in the tank,” Williams said after the 49ers’ win over Washington on Sunday, per Kirk Larrabee of 49erswebzone.com. “I think maybe my layoff, battling cancer and stuff, I think a lot of people would think nobody could come back normal, especially at that age. I bet on myself obviously to go to a new organization, but it’s all part of God’s plan. I’m really thankful for my nine years, ten years here, and I think it just made me a better professional overall going to my next chapter.”
Williams has continued to excel since leaving Washington. And at 35, he remains the NFL’s best left tackle.
While the 49ers won Sunday’s game over his former team, Williams accomplished another first — clinching the NFC’s No. 1 seed. And it meant something for Williams to do it at FedEx Field.
“It all came full circle,” Williams said. “I’m really blessed to come back here and actually clinch a number one seed and do something I’ve never done in my career before. I’m super grateful for that. It was good seeing familiar faces, but at the end of the day, I wish those guys nothing but the best. I looked at it as another game. Just a game where I knew a lot of people on the sideline.”
Finally, one of the reporters in the locker room spoke to Williams about Washington’s new ownership. Josh Harris and his group purchased the Commanders for over $6 billion in July, meaning a lot had changed since he last donned the burgundy and gold.
Could Williams see a time in his future when he returned to the organization where he spent the first 10 years of his career?
“No, I think I’m a 49er right now,” Williams said with a smile. “I love the ownership here. I love the organization. I could never speak for the future. I’m taking it one day at a time. But they definitely treat me as their own here, so I really can’t see going anywhere else.”
The question wasn’t necessarily if he’d play for Washington again but if he’d return to the organization when it presumably inducts him into the Ring of Fame.
Things have gone well for Williams since leaving Washington’s organization, as he has a chance to win the Super Bowl. At the same time, brighter times are ahead for the Commanders due to their new ownership group.
Part of @TrentW71 on his return to @FedExField …first up on Kyle helping Trent keep emotions in check. #Commanders #49ers pic.twitter.com/Azn5t1hZsc
— Chris Russell AKA the 🐓🐓! (@Russellmania621) December 31, 2023