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Washington Redskins: The Mismanagement of Trent Williams

By Damien Bartonek

LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 10: Tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins covers his face with a towel against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at FedExField on January 10, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 10: Tackle Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins covers his face with a towel against the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at FedExField on January 10, 2016 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: President Bruce Allen of the Washington Redskins looks on prior to the game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: President Bruce Allen of the Washington Redskins looks on prior to the game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Never offering a contract extension after the mismanagement of health

I understand money can’t solve all your problems, and the basis for this issue wasn’t money-related. As a 31-year-old NFL veteran, Washington could’ve shown Trent Williams the respect, after misdiagnosing his tumor, in terms of an extension of his contract.

After being medically cleared and all well after the tumor, Washington never offered an extension. Although there’s still two years remaining coming into this season on his current deal, financial security for the future is most important for Williams, all medical things considered.

After having the biggest life scare you’ve ever dealt with, your eyes on the future, the financial security for you and your loved ones is by far most important. For Washington to not show any empathy or encouraging signs to lock up Williams for many years to come, shows that their full commitment to him for the matter and overall faith in his ability going into his mid-thirties is weak, to say the least.

Rumors went around that Trent Williams was upset with the 2018 drafting of Geron Christian Sr. after he delayed his knee surgery for the team during the 2017 season. This added more fuel to this fire. A point could very well be understood that Williams could very well feel disrespected.
Drafting a player that plays his position, eight seasons into his career, coming off a major knee injury, without any sort of contractual agreement past his current deal, could be upsetting, to say the least.

All things add up in this deal. Washington, back in 2018, looked for a potential replacement in Christian. Williams, noticing and understanding the business side of this, sees where this could end up.

Fast-forward a calendar year later, and all signs point to the Redskins anticipating some sort of Williams fallout in the coming years.

The Redskins didn’t purposely misdiagnose him, but the question remains: Why reach and draft a raw left tackle prospect in the high rounds of the draft when you have a 30-year old, All-Pro caliber left tackle on the roster who’s been your cornerstone player for this decade?

The consistent lack of commitment in your team captain for the future, the drafting of a raw prospect who could very well be ready by the time Williams contract is up, mind-boggles you as to why Washington was so nonchalant in this process, post-medical scare.

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