Amid the surrounding drama over Trent Williams' absence from minicamp, Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden can only hope his star left tackle will return to the team.
Williams reportedly skipped mandatory practices in hopes of receiving a new contract, though sources told NFL reporter Jason La Canfora that the lineman's absence is not finance related, but rather due to the team's handling of his recent medical situation. According to La Canfora, Williams told teammates he's demanded a trade or his release.
The seven-time Pro Bowler recently had a growth on his head removed that doctors originally feared was malignant. Gruden addressed the recent reports following Wednesday's practice.
"I just know he's absent," he said, according to Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. "The medical stuff is out of my hands. The contractual stuff is out of my hands."
The 30-year-old has two years remaining on his five-year, $68-million megadeal signed in 2015. At the time, the contract made him the highest-paid offensive tackle in the history of the NFL.
Williams is one of the NFL's premier offensive linemen and his loss would deal a massive blow to Washington's offense.