Trent Williams failed to report to the Washington Redskins on the first day of mandatory minicamp in 2019. Believe it or not, that was almost 11 months ago.
Now, one drawn-out, awkward and sometimes ridiculous spat later, the two sides have mercifully moved on as Washington traded the seven-time Pro Bowl tackle to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2020 fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-rounder. Williams gets to start over with a new team, with the possibility for a contract extension down the line, and the Redskins get to plan for 2020 knowing exactly what they have and don’t have at left tackle.
To refresh your memory, here’s how we got to this point.
April 1, 2019: NFL Network first reports that Williams dealt with a cancerous growth on his head, but he should be OK and cleared to play football going forward.
June 4: Williams does not appear for mandatory minicamp.
June 5: CBS Sports reports that Williams is frustrated with the team’s handling of his medical issue, and he wanted a trade or release. When then-coach Jay Gruden was asked if Williams would return, he says, “I sure hope so.”
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June 7: Then-president Bruce Allen makes his first public remarks about the situation, saying, “I know what Trent told me so I know what the truth is.”
July 24: The Redskins report to Richmond for training camp and Williams is not there. Gruden says the Redskins “expect him here sooner [rather] than later.”
July 28: A front office member tells NBC Sports Washington that “We want Trent, but Trent’s got to want us too.” CBS Sports reports Williams’ relationship with the Redskins is “totally fractured” and the tackle swore he’d never play for them again, but the team’s head of communications decries the report as “100% false.”
Aug. 3: Gruden says he “seriously doubts” the Redskins would trade Williams after reports said they were gauging interest around the league.
Aug. 22: The Redskins turn down a first-round pick from the Patriots for Williams, according to multiple reports, though the team again vigorously denies it.
Sept. 8: The 2019 season kicks off without Trent Williams in uniform.
Sept. 9: In a radio interview, Washington right tackle Morgan Moses says he thinks the chances of Williams reporting that week was “50-50.” But he doesn’t report and continues his holdout into October.
Oct. 29: The trade deadline passes and Williams isn’t moved. However, he reports to Washington’s facility. It seems like a sign that the holdout is about to end.
Oct. 30: Wililams takes a physical for the Redskins, but they fail him because his old helmet caused him some discomfort when he put it on months after his scalp surgery.
Oct. 31: Williams talks to the media for the first time. He said he had nothing against owner Dan Snyder, and he confirmed the medical issue was the center of his problem. Washington announces there will be an independent medical review of Trent Williams’ health issues.
Nov. 7: The Redskins place Williams on the reserve/non-football injury list, where he stays for the rest of the 2019 season.
Dec. 30: A day after the end of the season, Allen and head trainer Larry Hess are fired — appearing to clear a major obstacle in regaining Williams’ trust and interest in playing for the team again.
Feb. 11, 2020: NFL Network reports Williams and new coach Ron Rivera had their first talk, described as a “positive conversation.”
March 5: The Redskins give Williams and his agent permission to seek a trade partner.
March 24: Williams’ agent, Vincent Taylor, eviscerate the Redskins in a statement that accused the team of not making a good-faith effort to trade his client. Two days later, he adds that Williams’ contract has “never been the hold-up” — though the 31-year-old tackle is supposedly seeking to become the highest-paid at his position.
April 24: The Redskins and Minnesota Vikings had been working on a Williams trade, but it falls through and Minnesota drafts an offensive tackle in the second round. NFL Network reports that Williams nixed the trade because he didn’t want to play for the Vikings, but both Williams and his agent deny it the next day.
April 25: The trade finally comes through: On Day 3 of the 2020 NFL draft, Washington deals Williams to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick and a 2021 third-rounder. ESPN reports Williams will play in 2020 on his current contract, a base salary of $12.5 million. Williams’ 10-year career with Washington is officially over.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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