The Washington Redskins find themselves in a pickle with Trent Williams.
The seven-time Pro-Bowl left tackle wants out; not just for a contract, but because of a medical staff that poorly handled an ailment. He hasn't reported to training camp, despite fining by the team, and doesn't appear to be doing so anytime soon. The Redskins signed Donald Penn as an insurance plan, which immediately sparked trade rumors about the tackle.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden spoke with the media on Saturday and address Williams' holdout. When asked if he thinks Washington would trade Williams, Gruden expressed major skepticism. ”
“I would seriously doubt that. So, no,” he said, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Such confidence certainly seems to suggest that Washington believes Williams will report to the team soon. Gruden, though, is apparently unaware of what the team could do to ease his concerns about continuing his career with the Redskins.
“I do not have an understanding of what it would take to get him back,” he said of Williams. “If I did, he'd be back here.”
Washington has been fining Williams $40,000 a day to get him back eventually. But, for a man with nearly $30 million left on his contract, it's not bothering him, as reported yesterday by Pro Football Talk.
Williams doesn’t care. Williams believes (perhaps correctly) that the team will never be able to collect the fines if Williams never plays for them again, since there will be no game checks from which they can withhold the fines.
This situation doesn't appear to be settling anytime soon. But with Williams clearly unhappy and the Redskins reportedly shopping him, Gruden may be proved wrong.
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