Trent Williams spent 10 seasons with the Washington Redskins after being selected No. 4 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played nine seasons with Washington but missed 2019 after clashing with the team over several issues, including a health scare. During his time in Washington, Williams earned seven Pro Bowl selections and one second-team All-Pro selection.
In 2020, new Washington coach Ron Rivera permitted Williams to seek a trade. Washington traded Williams to the San Francisco 49ers during the 2020 NFL Draft, and the rest is history. Now in his seventh season with the 49ers, Williams has been named first-team All-Pro three times and made five more Pro Bowls since the trade.
Now 38, Williams is still playing at an elite level, and he faces his former team on Monday. It’s not the first time Williams has played Washington—now the Commanders. The franchises have met three times since the Williams trade, with San Francisco winning two.
On Saturday, Williams was asked about his time in Washington. That probably won’t make some Commanders fans happy.
“Sometimes I forget that I even played there,” Williams said with a smile. “I’ve been here going on seven years, so I only played nine seasons there. I was there 10 years, and I played nine seasons. You know, it’s been almost just as much time here as I have there.”
#49ers OT Trent Williams, asked if he’ll have any mixed feelings playing Washington after spending the first 9 years of his career w/ them:
— Harrison Rich (@harrisonrich_) October 17, 2026
“Sometimes I forget that I even played there. … I’ve (spent almost) as much time here as I did there.” pic.twitter.com/aZaj36AuXm
Some Washington fans will forgive Williams because he played under former owner Dan Snyder and then-team president and GM Bruce Allen. Williams had an issue with Washington’s former team doctor over a cancer diagnosis, but he also clashed with the team over a new contract. Williams was primarily at odds with Allen, not Snyder. Those clashes with Allen led fans to side with Williams, even after he left.
Some fans, though, may not take kindly to Williams saying he sometimes forgets he even played in Washington. Ultimately, everything worked out for Williams, especially financially. Now in his 18th NFL season, Williams is still chasing a Super Bowl ring. The 49ers are off to a 5-0 start in 2026 and look to keep that going on Monday night against the Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 49ers LT Trent Williams takes subtle shot at Commanders