Trent Williams ‘likely’ to be traded during NFL draft

Trent Williams’ drama with the Washington Redskins could soon be reaching a conclusion.

NBC Sports’ Peter King noted in his weekly column Monday that it is likely the seven-time Pro Bowler is finally traded this week, while teams are finalizing plans for the NFL draft.

For the last few months, the Redskins have explored trade options for Williams after it became clear the relationship was no longer salvageable.

Williams’ agent Vince Taylor accused the Redskins of being unreasonable in their asking price — reportedly a second-round pick, or a return of multiple picks that would equal the value of a second.

A team that trades for Williams would likely have to give the Pro Bowler a new contract, but Taylor has said that’s not a holdup in any deal. Williams is entering the last year of his contract and is set to make $12.5 million.

Earlier this month, Redskins coach Ron Rivera said Washington was still working to find a trade partner for Williams.

“We’re not quite sure what’s going to happen at the end of the line,” Rivera said. “He is a player under contract. He is a Washington Redskin, and we’re going to leave it at that and just see how things unfold.”

Over the offseason, Rivera has had several conversations with Williams — including a brief face-to-face meeting. Initially, the Redskins had hoped Rivera’s arrival could repair the situation with Williams, who did not play in 2019 amid a dispute with the team’s medical staff over the handling of a cancerous growth on his scalp and concerns about his contract. The Redskins had also taken steps to ease Williams’ concerns, firing team president Bruce Allen and head trainer Larry Hess.

But the meetings did not work. Shortly after the NFL scouting combine, Washington gave Williams and his agent permission to speak with other teams to help facilitate a trade. The Redskins also shopped Williams at the combine, Williams’ agent told 106.7 The Fan late last month.

On March 24, Taylor released a statement to reporters urging the Redskins to trade or release his client. Williams’ camp became further incensed when Washington traded cornerback Quinton Dunbar before the left tackle.

Taylor blasted the Redskins’ asking price for Williams as “totally absurd,” saying he had two teams tell him Washington was being “outrageous.” Taylor also denied Williams’ contract situation was the reason the deal had yet to be made.

Taylor said Williams’ meeting with Rivera left his client with the impression that a good relationship between the two wasn’t possible.

“Ron, in essence, wanted him to prove himself. ’Prove yourself,’” Taylor told 106.7 The Fan. “And then the nostalgia of everything that has happened, he realized that there’s no relationship here. It’s better for us to part ways.”

Williams’ wish may soon be granted.

In King’s column, the left tackle was listed first in order of the players likely to be dealt. Besides Williams, the list includes Jacksonville’s Yannick Ngakoue, New England’s Joe Thuney, Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton, Jacksonville’s Leonard Fournette and Philadelphia’s Alshon Jeffery.