As Day 3 of the NFL draft began, the Trent Williams saga finally ended.
After sitting out all of last season over an injury dispute, then reportedly refusing a trade to the Vikings on Friday, Washington’s seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle was dealt to the 49ers in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2020 fifth-round pick, which the Redskins used to select San Diego State offensive lineman Keith Ismael (156th overall).
Williams will be reunited in San Francisco with head coach Kyle Shanahan — Washington’s offensive coordinator from 2010-13 — and replace six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley, who announced his retirement Saturday after 13 seasons with the 49ers.
“I’m thankful this is over,” Williams told ESPN. “I thank Dan [Snyder, Redskins owner] and the organization for all they’ve done for me. Still a lot of love for the fans and that locker room. Now I’m focusing on being the best player I can possibly be for the San Francisco 49ers.”
Williams had spent his entire career in Washington since being selected with the fourth-overall pick in 2010, but he requested a trade last June, angered by what he believed was improper treatment from the team’s medical’s staff for a cancerous growth on his scalp. Williams — who turns 32 in July — was also reportedly upset by the Redskins’ refusal to offer a guaranteed, long-term extension.
Williams failed to report for training camp last season in hopes of forcing his way out of Washington, but returned to the team when the trade deadline passed. Williams then said he had “no trust” in the Redskins and never suited up for them again after being placed on the non-football injury list.
“I almost lost my life. Seriously, I almost lost my life,” Williams said in October. “You’re 30 and coming off seven straight Pro Bowls and a doctor tells you to get your affairs in order. It’s not going to sit well with you. It still doesn’t. It’s a scary thing to go through. Think how you describe to your 9-year-old, your 5-year-old that Daddy might not be here. It’s tough.”
The Redskins began shopping Williams again in March — his agent was given permission to secure a deal, too — but the acclaimed offensive lineman again was left suspicious of Washington’s willingness to grant his request.
“Williams’ representatives provided the team with trading options, but the Redskins have shown no interest in negotiating in good faith, and in fact, have given inconsistent demands on what it wants in return for a trade,” Taylor wrote in a statement on March 24. “Throughout the process, Williams has maintained his silence and not spoken negatively about the team, nor has he pursued potential legal actions. This seems not to be a successful strategy. Players who are outwardly critical of the team do get traded.”
When Williams’ wish was fulfilled, he apparently still wasn’t pleased.
With a deal in place to join the Vikings — which would have included an extension, according to NFL.com, unlike the agreement with the 49ers — Williams squashed the trade, making it known he had no interest in joining Minnesota, according to multiple reports. Williams and Taylor both denied the reports.
Instead, Williams — who has one year left on his contract, valued at $12.5 million — ended up with the reigning NFC champions, where he’ll also re-join former Redskins offensive line coach Chris Foerster, in hopes of playing a full 16-game season for the first time since 2013.
“I know he’s very fresh and hungry and eager to get back to football,” Shanahan said. “When you lose a guy like Joe, there is a huge panic there. We couldn’t guarantee it’d work out with Washington, but [general manager] John [Lynch] was very persistent. It was a good gamble that worked out well.”
Lynch said he knew of Staley’s impending retirement when the 49ers used the 14th overall selection on defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw — rather than an offensive lineman — but the general manager was optimistic he’d soon be able to acquire Williams.
“We were assuming some risk,” Lynch said. “That was a risk we were willing to take.”
Though the Vikings moved on from Williams by drafting Boise State tackle Ezra Cleveland in the second round (58th overall), the Redskins took a gamble on talented tackle Saahdiq Charles, a three-year starter at LSU — most recently, part of the offensive line named the best in the country — who was also suspended for six games during the Tigers’ national championship run, due to a failed drug test.
“I wasn’t sure where I would go, but I ended up in the right spot,” Charles said. “They believe in me. For that, I’ll give the Redskins organization everything I’ve got.”