PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 23: Trent Williams #71 of the Washington Redskins enters the field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears have an offensive line issue…
And the Washington Redskins just allowed a top tackle to seek a trade.
The Chicago Bears had a lot of issues following their disappointing 2019 NFL Season, but one of the top problems that needs to be resolved happens to be their offensive line. Enter Trent Williams and the Washington Redskins. A peculiar situation, that I’m sure you’ve already heard about…
Williams, a top-talent at a premium position gets injured and after numerous injury related issues, said player requests a trade and proceeds to sit out regular season games.
However, this story has just become much more interesting, as the Washington Redskins have now allowed for Williams to seek a trade with a different NFL team. Couple that with the fact that Williams seems ready to return to form, and it makes too much sense for the Bears not to discuss trade for the Former Oklahoma Sooner.
Charles Leno Jr. currently sits atop the Bears depth chart at Offensive Tackle While the former 7th-round pick hasn’t been bad in the line of duty, an impact player like Williams only becomes available every so often.
While Leno Jr. is 3-years younger than Williams, I could see a scenario where Chicago would try to include the former Boise State Bronco in any deal for Williams, as it would help balance out the cap situation. Currently, Leno Jr. is slated to have a cap hit of roughly $10.3 million, while Williams is expected to earn $14.5 million. So, from a numbers stand point, I’d say Leno has to be apart of any deal, which isn’t crazy seeing as how Trai Turner was just traded in a player-for-player deal which included Russell Okung.
Now, Leno for Williams isn’t going to happen, so what’s the additional compensation you ask? It was reported that Washington turned down a round-one draft pick for Williams back in August from the New England Patriots.
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With that being said, Washington currently does not have a draft pick in the 2nd-round of this years’ draft because they previously dealt it to the Indianapolis Colts. My thoughts? Send Leno Jr., the 2020 2nd-round pick that Chicago received from the Las Vegas Raiders and their 2021 2nd-round pick to Washington for Williams and a 2021 4th-round pick.
This trade gives Washington an average Left Tackle and draft pick compensation, which will only help bolster their rebuild. Subsequently, this trade also helps Chicago push all their chips into the middle of the table, and gives whoever is taking snaps under center for the Bears the best chance to succeed.
Some may ask why would Washington accept this deal if they didn’t accept a trade for the Patriots 1st-round pick? Well, with the news of Washington allowing Williams to seek a trade it shows their hand. Their backs against the wall, and they very well may have to take pennies on the dollar in terms of return for their franchise Left Tackle. Time to make the call, Ryan Pace.