Sean McVay and the Rams saw the news: The San Francisco 49ers acquired star left tackle Trent Williams from the Washington Redskins on Saturday, making the defending NFC champions that much stronger for the upcoming season.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay humorously reacted to Williams now being in the NFC West (via Kyle Madson of USA TODAY):

“Thanks for reminding me,” McVay said according to Andrew Siciliano. “I need to go drink a couple of more beers.”

McVay in particular knows what kind of player Williams can be at that left guard spot. After all, he helped coach him in Washington, including as offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016, before he went to the Rams.

The Niners, a foremost rival of the Rams, acquired Williams as a replacement for longtime left tackle Joe Staley, who announced he was retiring shortly after the Niners and Redskins finalized the trade.

Williams was named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls between 2012 and 2018 before holding out for the entirety of the 2019 season. The Redskins allowed him to seek a trade in the offseason, and finally sent him to the Niners in exchange for a fifth-round pick and a third-rounder in 2021.

While San Francisco's offseason has mostly consisted of plugging holes and finding replacements at key positions, the Rams' offseason has been about cutting costs.

The Rams released running back Todd Gurley and traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans, while edge-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. and linebacker Cory Littleton both signed with other teams in free agency.

However, McVay and the Rams made sure to prioritize their own offensive line, re-signing veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Brock Purdy, 49ers, 49ers quarterback, Super Bowl, Purdy 49ers

Jackson Stone ·

San Francisco 49ers stars Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk looking at a large sack of money

Sonny Giuliano ·

49ers' Brandon Aiyuk with coach Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch

Jack Winter ·

Still, McVay understands the Niners have done a good job of maneuvering this offseason, and it will be tough for the Rams to knock them off their perch as NFC West champions.

—

Follow NFL on ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us.

All of our NFL content can be found on the NFL section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our fantasy football content, click here.