Trent Williams Trade Rumors: Contract Price Bigger Issue Than Redskins' Demands

Trent Williams' asking price for a new contract is reportedly giving teams pause in their pursuit of the Washington Redskins offensive tackle on the trade market.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Williams wanting to be paid like one of the NFL's top tackles is a bigger stumbling block than the draft pick compensation the Redskins are requesting:

Rapoport noted that he gets the sense the Redskins will be flexible and won't necessarily demand a second-round pick in exchange for the seven-time Pro Bowler.

Williams sat out the entire 2019 season due to a contract dispute, but there was hope that he would be willing to play for the Redskins in 2020, especially after speaking with new head coach Ron Rivera.

ESPN's Dianna Russini reported earlier this month, however, that the Redskins had granted Williams permission to seek a trade.

A major contributing factor to Williams' holdout last season was a tumor he had removed from his head.

Williams said it was discovered six years prior, but he felt the Redskins' medical staff didn't handle it the proper way:

Williams reported to the Redskins last season after the trade deadline, but since he felt discomfort when putting on a helmet following the tumor removal, he was placed on the reserve/injured list and did not appear in a game.

When healthy, Williams has consistently been one of the NFL's best offensive tackles throughout his career.

Washington selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft out of Oklahoma, and by his third NFL season, he was a Pro Bowler. Williams was subsequently selected to the Pro Bowl seven straight times from 2012-18.

Injuries have been an issue for Williams during his career, as he has played all 16 games in a season only twice and hasn't accomplished the feat since 2013, but his skill set is undeniable.

Williams is set to enter the final year of his contractin 2020 with a base salary of $12.5 million. If he wants to be paid like a top tackle, he will require a significant raise, as Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles leads all tackles with an average annual salary of $18 million, per Spotrac.

While Williams is a risk since he is approaching 32 years of age and didn't play at all last season, it seems inevitable that a tackle-needy team like the Cleveland Browns or New York Jets will eventually jump at the chance to acquire him if the asking price becomes more reasonable.