Protecting Sam Darnold has to be a top priority for Jets general manager Joe Douglas this offseason. The Washington Redskins recently told left tackle Trent Williams he’s free to seek a trade on his own and according to The Athletic’s Connor Hughes, the Jets are interested.
Some non-airport news ...According to multiple league sources, the #Jets are among the teams pursuing #Redskins LT Trent Williams.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes)
March 6, 2020 Williams will turn 32-years old this summer and has one season left on his contract for $12.5 million, which likely means any trade would need to include a contract extension.From 2012 to 2018, Williams proved to be one of the best left tackles in the NFL, being voted to seven Pro-Bowls. Various injuries and suspensions kept Williams from playing a full 16-game schedule since 2013, and in 2019, the left tackle never made it to the field.Prior to the season, Williams had surgery to remove a growth from his head from a cancer he identified as Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP), but he also launched a holdout in hopes of receiving a new contract.
In October, Williams ended his holdout, but failed a team physical because of discomfort when wearing a helmet caused by soreness from the surgery. It’s the second straight offseason the Jets are pursuing a star-caliber player coming off a missed season. Last year they landed free-agent running back Le’Veon Bell and if they wind up trading for Williams, the Jets will hope for better results.What Williams will cost remains to be seen, but even with having not played last year, his talent should command interest from multiple teams and create competition for the services of the established left tackle.
