Redskins intent on doing what they can to keep Trent Williams

Veteran Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams was considered all but gone throughout the 2019 season, but now, with a new structure in place above him, his departure might not be inevitable.

The Washington Redskins 2020 NFL Draft and offseason plans are on hold, not just because current team evaluations are still underway by the new coaching staff, but because the team’s needs haven’t quite fallen into focus.

Yes, it’s known that the Redskins roster has a general need for top-end talent, which they can easily get with the No. 2 pick, if they play their cards right. But based on other factors, the choice between drafting transcendent edge rusher Chase Young and trading back to address more needs can take on a completely different shape.

One of those factors — perhaps the biggest one, in fact — is the status of veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams. When healthy and available, Williams is an elite bookend blocker, even at 32 years old, which is how old he’s set to be to start the 2020 season. He’ll have plenty of rest behind him, and a fresh frame to compete with. But the question surrounding his intentions remain. Will he come back now that Bruce Allen is gone? Or is there more to the situation?

Whatever the case, the Redskins, under Ron Rivera, don’t appear eager to close the door on Williams. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Williams is “firmly in the team’s plans”, and “they are not intent on trading him, like the previous regime was.”

Rapoport went on to say that while Rivera has not contacted Williams directly to this point, the Redskins have been in contact with Williams’ agent. They plan to make a definitive decision on how to proceed with Williams after February 10, which is a date Rapoport specified as the day coaches come back from vacation and continue watching tape and evaluating the current team personnel. That said, as far as Rivera is concerned, Williams is part of the team for now.

Rapoport didn’t have much information on Williams’ motivations through this process, but noted that Redskins new head trainer Ryan Vermillion is widely respected throughout the league, and could be a key figure in Williams’ decision to come back, as Williams’ issues, at least past Bruce Allen, were primarily with the training staff.

If anything, Rapoport’s update tells us that the only thing to do right now is keep waiting. The circumstances are aligning so that a return from Williams might be feasible. But nothing conclusive has been decided on either side. Stay tuned with us, as we’ll keep you in the loopy with any periodic updates that might come in the future.