BEREA, Ky. _ If the Browns don't trade for Washington seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, it won't be because they didn't explore the possibility.
Browns General Manager John Dorsey made that much clear Wednesday without mentioning Williams by name because of the NFL's anti-tampering rules.
Asked during a bye-week news conference if he's spoken to Washington President Bruce Allen lately, Dorsey replied, "We've had a few conversations. Is there anything you want me to pass on to him?"
When a reporter told Dorsey to ask Allen if he's going to trade the left tackle who's been rumored as a target of the Browns _ everyone knows that was a reference to Williams _ Dorsey said "it takes two to tango" as he walked out of the media room at Browns headquarters.
Allen has repeatedly stated publicly he has no plans to trade Williams, 31, who's holding out this season because he reportedly wants a new contract and didn't like the Washington medical staff's handling of a benign tumor on his scalp that was surgically removed.
In 2015, Williams signed a five-year, $68 million contract extension, which included $41.25 million guaranteed, so he's under contract with Washington through the 2020 season. His base salaries for 2019 and 2020 were set at $10.85 million and $12.5 million.
The Browns made expensive moves in the offseason by trading for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon and signing defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. Yet they have about $32.5 million in salary-cap space, according to the NFL Players Association.
"We still have the flexibility to do a lot of different things," Dorsey said.
