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Offensive tackle Donald Penn is the newest member of the Washington Redskins, and he knows exactly why he's there. Penn had his first media availability since getting signed on Wednesday, and he acknowledged the elephant in the room.
The Redskins normally have one of the best left tackles in the league in Trent Williams, but Williams is holding out. He's reportedly unhappy both with his contract and the team's medical staff, and it doesn't sound like he'll be reporting anytime soon.
Per John Keim of ESPN, Penn said that he spoke to Williams before he signed with Washington. He also said that he was looking for a place where he could start before signing. Penn is 36 now but he was one of the league's better tackles for a while, and was one of the biggest names left on the free-agent market.
Donald Penn said he reached out to Trent Williams, a good friend, before he signed. Kept conversation private.. but he signed here. Said he was looking for a place where he had a chance to start.
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 31, 2019
The comment about starting will surely raise some eyebrows. Considering Penn spoke to Williams before signing, that would seem to suggest Williams told him he isn't coming back anytime soon.
Penn also said he's happy to be back on the left side after the Raiders had shifted him to right tackle.
Penn says a big key for him: Back to playing left tackle. Said playing on the right side was tough for him, especially coming off a Lisfranc injury to foot he needed to push off of on right side. says he's healthy and back to side he prefers.
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 31, 2019
Penn only played in four games last year due to injury, but he had been a rock before that. He's very experienced, with 174 career starts under his belt.
Donald Penn said Jon Gruden texted him today: "You can't shake the Grudens." Penn was in Tampa when Jay was an assistant there… clearly familiar with the offense.
— John Keim (@john_keim) July 31, 2019
Penn also revealed he got a text from Jon Gruden after signing. Penn played under Redskins coach Gruden in Tampa and last year in Oakland, and he'll now be coached by Gruden's brother Jay in Washington.
