This 49ers-Redskins Trade for Trent Williams Could Actually Work if Joe Staley Retires

Leave it to the Washington Redskins to anger their best player to the point where he refuses to put on a uniform. Sadly, it's a common occurrence under owner Dan Snyder's watch and this time, the player in question is left tackle Trent Williams. The stud offensive lineman wants out of DC following a botched medical diagnosis from the team's training staff, and he's willing to play anywhere.

Enter the San Francisco 49ers. The team is looking to distance themselves from the other NFC contenders, especially the New Orleans Saints. Yet, San Fran has uncertainty on the offensive line, as veteran Joe Staley's status for 2020 is in question following the team's Super Bowl LIV loss. If he does opt to hang up his cleats, Williams could be a viable option for the Niners.

Williams carries a $14.5 million cap hit heading into the 2020 NFL season, and the 49ers only have a little over $13 million in cap space. So, in order to get a deal done, they'd have to part ways with a player. If Staley retires, they'd save $6 million against the cap, but that still puts them in a tight situation.

The obvious positional need for the Redskins is at cornerback. Even though they added Kendall Fuller and Ronald Darby in free agency, Washington can still use some depth to bolster their secondary.

In order to get a deal done, the 49ers could send cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and their 2020 fifth-round selection (pick No. 156) in exchange for Williams. The 49ers would be able to fit in Williams' salary for the upcoming season and can eventually sign him to an extension. As for the Redskins, they gain more draft capital while adding a promising corner in Witherspoon, who would save the Niners over $2 million against the cap.

Given Washington has no leverage, this is among the better deals they could get.