This Patriots-Redskins Trade for Trent Williams Could Actually Work

The Washington Redskins want to offload Trent Williams, who hasn't played for them in over a year thanks to a contract holdout and medical mismanagement. The New England Patriots need to protect Jarrett Stidham by any means necessary.

Could a trade between these two actually work out?

On the surface, the answer is no. Despite New England's previous reported interest in Williams, the Patriots cap space makes such a deal very tough to accomplish. Nonetheless, it's not impossible.

To make this happen, the Patriots would have to flip a hefty contract back to the Redskins. For the sake of such a deal, let's say New England franchised Joe Thuney just to trade him (which various reports have suggested). Thuney will earn $14.78 million in 2020, just enough to make a trade for Williams possible.

Along with Thuney, who is younger than Williams and a solid offensive lineman, the Patriots would have to part ways with a mid-round pick, likely in the third or fourth round. Whether you deem that worthwhile is a different question entirely.

Another question is fit: while Thuney would surely have a place on the Redskins offensive line, would Williams joining a Patriots front misplace the likes of Isaiah Wynn, who is coming off injury? A player of Williams' caliber demands adjustments on New England's side, whether that be position or scheme changes.

The last time Williams saw the field, he was one of the best left tackles in all of football. He'd be a welcomed addition to any locker room, but at a significant cost as the Redskins still hold him in high regard.