The San Francisco 49ers have executed a draft trade. The team has reportedly sent a fifth-round pick this year (No. 156 overall) and a third-round pick next year to the Washington Redskins in exchange for nine-year veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Finally: The #Redskins have agreed to terms on a trade of LT Trent Williams to the #49ers, per me, @TomPelissero & @MikeGarafolo. It took until Day 3 of the Draft, but Washington gets it done, and SF gets help at a position of need. It's for a 5th this year and 3rd next year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2020
Williams must pass a physical for the trade to be executed. It is worth noting that the 49ers are scheduled to host Washington at Levi's Stadium during the 2020 season.
"I'm thankful this is over," Williams told Rapoport. "Thanks to Dan (Snyder) and the organization for all they've done for me. Still a lot of love for the fans and that locker room. Now, I'm focusing on being the best player I can possibly be for the 49ers."
The move leaves San Francisco with just two draft picks remaining today — a sixth-rounder (No. 210 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 217 overall).
News of the 49ers' interest was first reported on Friday by Julie Donaldson of NBC Sports Washington. John Keim of ESPN later reported that any deal for Williams would require San Francisco to surrender future draft picks, which it did.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan worked with Williams for four seasons, and was serving as Washington's offensive coordinator when the offensive lineman was drafted in 2010.
RELATED Schefter: 49ers tackle Joe Staley expected to retire due to health concerns
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that the deal does not come with a contract extension for Williams. That will need to be handled down the road, should the 49ers choose to do so. Williams' contract runs through the 2020 season, which includes a base salary of $12.5 million. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next year.
There is no contract extension in place for Trent Williams with the #49ers. That will be a piece of business that can be handled going forward.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 25, 2020
Adam Schefter of ESPN later added that the 49ers are expected to restructure the final year on Williams' current contract, which would, hopefully, bring his massive salary-cap hit down.
Trent Williams and the 49ers are expected to restructure the last year on his contract, per source. But Williams will report and will play for SF this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
The move brings the future of starting tackle Joe Staley into question. John Lynch said earlier this week that he was confident Staley would play in 2020 rather than choose to retire.
"We've kept in good contact with Joe," Lynch said. "He's doing his typical routine down with his family in San Diego, working out. And we're encouraged. We've heard nothing that would lead us to believe that Joe's not going to play. So, we are encouraged with that. We'll see where that goes."
The addition of Williams could mean that Staley has made a decision on his NFL future.
Update: Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Staley is expected to retire due to health concerns.
Williams, 31, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Washington made him the No. 4 overall selection in 2010 after playing college football at Oklahoma. Williams has 120 game appearances and 119 starts through his nine NFL seasons.
Williams last year reportedly demanded to be traded or released. Washington failed to trade him by the deadline, and the offensive lineman was reinstated on October 30, 2019. He failed a physical and landed on the non-football injury list.
In March, Williams and his agent were given permission to seek a trade.
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