Trent Williams’ salary demands might force Redskins’ hand

In his first months on the job, Redskins coach Ron Rivera has taken steps to repair the team’s relationship with Trent Williams. The two have had conversations, which included a face-to-face meeting. Last week at the NFL scouting combine, Rivera even acknowledged the team’s need to “redevelop the trust in the training room” — an obvious nod to Williams’ dispute with the medical staff.

Rivera said he was in a “good place” with Williams.

“Had a good conversation and we’re going to go from there,” Rivera said.

But for all the dialogue, a massive hurdle remains: Williams wants a new contract. And if he does not receive an extension, then Williams would like to be traded, according to multiple reports.

Entering the final year of his deal, the 31-year-old reportedly is seeking to become one of the league’s highest-paid tackles. Williams is set to make $12.5 million in 2020, but that does not have any guaranteed money left on his contract. And at that figure, Williams’ salary ranks sixth among tackles in 2020.

Remember, Williams’ desire for a new deal was a large reason the seven-time Pro Bowler held out last year until the trade deadline, even as he feuded with the Redskins over the handling of a cancerous tumor on his scalp.

Williams said as much back in October.

“Obviously playing with no guaranteed money, I don’t think any premier player (would) want to do that, especially not in the game we play today,” Williams said, later adding, “I’ve represented this franchise in the Pro Bowl the last seven years. To me, I would think that would be good for something.”

If Williams is firm in his demand, then it will become costly for the Redskins to extend him. The tackle market has skyrocketed since Washington gave Williams a new contract in 2015 that made him the highest-paid at the position with a five-year, $66 million deal. Over the past year, Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and Oakland’s Trent Brown signed four-year, $72 million and four-year, $66 million contracts, respectively.

Those numbers could continue to climb, too. Beyond Williams, Houston’s Laremy Tunsil and Tennessee’s Jack Conklin are in line for huge paydays. Tunsil is discussing an extension with the Texans, while Conklin is expected to command top money once he reaches free agency this month.

It might cost the Redskins anywhere between $18 million to $20 million per year to extend Williams, salary cap guru J.I. Halsell said.

“The sense of urgency is not exactly contract related as much as it is, them reporting to the offseason program with as little distraction as possible,” Halsell said. “And if Trent is still part of the organization, particularly under his current deal, then there’s going to be a distraction. So my sense is either you try and get a deal done with him ahead of April or you try and move on from him ahead of April.”

So far, Washington has apparently balked at Williams’ request. The NFL Network reported the Redskins have pushed negotiations with Williams “to the back burner,” while the team sorts out the rest of its offseason plans. The Redskins met with draft prospects like Chase Young and Tua Tagovailoa last week and have their own free agents like Brandon Scherff to address.

Washington will also have to weigh the risks in extending Williams, given he has not played a full 16 games since 2013. Williams also missed all of last year as the Redskins put him on the season-ending, nonfootball injury list shortly after the tackle reported to work. Williams also had knee surgery in 2017 and thumb surgery in 2018.

If he doesn’t get his way, Williams could try and force Washington’s hand with another lengthy holdout, Halsell said. Williams only reported in October last year so he could get credit for a season played. In theory, the former first-rounder could do the same again, if he’s willing to sacrifice more money. The Redskins fined Williams for his holdout last year.

Should the Redskins trade away Williams, replacing him won’t be easy. Backup Geron Christian rarely saw the field last year over starter Donald Penn, despite the Redskins’ turn toward their younger players as the year went on. Penn, who turns 37 next month, is a free agent.

The Redskins could always draft a tackle, but this year’s class is talent heavy at the top. That’s not ideal for a team that lacks a second-round pick.

Last week, Rivera said the Redskins and Williams were still “working through details” about a return.

“We’ll see how things unfold,” Rivera said, “but again it’s just a fluid situation.”