Reports: Browns Linked to Bad Idea, Trading for Trent Williams
There are reports that the Cleveland Browns are in talks to potentially trade for Trent Williams of the Washington Redskins. Williams has outright refused to play for the Redskins due to how he was treated for an issue by their medical staff, sitting idle this entire season.
There have been reports of at least the New England Patriots approaching this notion earlier in the year, which said the Patriots allegedly offered a first round pick for the stud offensive tackle. The Patriots denied the report and there has been no movement since.
The biggest question with this situation is whether or not Redskins owner Daniel Snyder is willing to move on from Williams or if he'd rather force him to sit out as a message to anyone else that plays for him that they can't force their way out from this organization.
In essence, that means that any potential trade partner is effectively bidding against themselves to meet a price high enough where Snyder is willing to go ahead and move Williams or hoping to catch Snyder at a point where he admits defeat and takes much less in return for him, opting to get something rather than nothing.
Hopeful fans are hoping for the latter, but Snyder has been stubborn since he bought the franchise and stuck by his guns to the bitter end on some terrible decisions in the past.
The problem from the Browns standpoint in addition to what they'd possibly have to give up to get Williams is what this means. It represents chasing a player in a desperate move due to poor planning headed into the season. It also likely means paying a premium to make a move that could've been made months ago.
Last, but certainly not least is the fact no one knows what type of shape Williams is in at this point. He hasn't been doing anything football related other than possibly staying fit in case of a trade.
Williams is a future Hall of Famer and a multiple time All-Pro. There's no disputing his ability or what he can do at left tackle. The problem is the Browns problem isn't just left tackle. It's right guard, right tackle and the overall chemistry within the offense, which is causing turnovers and other miscues.
The Browns could've had Williams in July, had him up to speed and ready to go and been more ready for the season. At this point, they are better off waiting until the offseason and attacking the problem in the draft. The draft pick, likely in the first round, is cost controlled, which would mean if they hit, they'd have another extremely affordable contract on the offensive line.
Adding Williams would mean adding another bigger contract, which is still cheap by offensive tackle standards, but it would add another obstacle in free agency and retaining players under their salary cap. Williams is also already 31, so assuming he stays healthy, which has been an issue at times and assuming he's great, it's still a short term play for a team built more for the long term.
It just doesn't make sense. And there are a number of reports that suggest there's no truth to this rumor.
And assuming the Redskins were contacted, this could've been just to see if Williams was even a possibility and if so, at what price. That would be harmless. In the event they do become serious, it adds a tinge of desperation to a season that doesn't require it, because this team has always been a year away this year. For a team with a short window trying to win right now, pushing for Trent Williams makes sense. The Patriots, for example, would make sense. The Browns simply don't.
