What is next for the Cleveland Browns and Trent Williams

The unhappy all-pro left tackle broke his silence Tuesday morning and demanded a release or trade. Is Trent Williams still in play for the Cleveland Browns?

Tuesday morning Adam Schefter released a statement from Trent Williams’ agent that demanded Williams be released or traded from the Washington Redskins.

The team has been actively shopping the veteran tackle for some time but has requested far too much compensation and not been able to come up with a deal.

With Williams likely to demand top dollar on a contract extension (reportedly $20 million per year), teams have not been willing to compensate the Redskins with a high draft pick via trade.

Washington asked for a first-round pick at the trade deadline in 2019, and reportedly is still seeking at least a second-round pick. The Redskins have lost all leverage in the situation and now could be a chance for the Cleveland Browns to land Williams.

What should the Browns do now? The answer is not one an inpatient person will like, but you wait for the Redskins to release Williams and then sign him.

What are the risks of this? If Williams is released, any team can sign him so there is a chance his market heats up and the Browns won’t want to overpay.

What is the upside to Williams being released? The Browns will not have to give up anything to sign Williams, which is huge. Additionally, the Browns will have a better shot at signing Williams to a shorter deal.

At 31, Williams will likely want a three or four-year deal as it will be his last “big” contract. Given no team has been willing to trade for him at this point, he is losing leverage and may not have as much interest as originally expected.

What is the best-case scenario for the Browns?  Williams being released by the Redskins and Cleveland able to sign him to a similar deal as Jack Conklin (that is structure, not money). Entice Williams with a big guarantee all paid in the first year of a three-year deal.

This is still a risk given Williams hasn’t played in a year and has past injury concerns. However, in that structure, the Browns could walk away after year one or two and not burden their cap for future signings.

Oh, and what about $20 million per year? Absolutely not, Williams will quickly find his market is $15-16.5 million per year.  If the Browns can get him at that number, go for it and give yourself draft flexibility.