Bengals Sign Trent Brown
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the biggest free agency signing for Cincinnati this offseason has taken place to make up for the departure of Jonah Williams. According to Ian Rapoport, the Bengals signed former Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown.
The #Bengals are adding a key piece on their O-Line, as #Patriots free agent OT Trent Brown plans to sign a 1-year with them, source said. He’s in Cincy on a visit today.
A new home protecting Joe Burrow for Brown. pic.twitter.com/TQLmdx9S35
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2024
The contract is a one year, $4.75 million contract, which includes a $2 million signing bonus and $2 million guaranteed. He will return to his old position of right tackle while Orlando Brown continues to play at left tackle.
The 6’8”, 370 pound lineman made the Pro Bowl in 2019. However, after playing in all 17 games in 2022, the big man only played in 11 games last season (eight of which were starts) due to injuries. Brown grew increasingly frustrated in New England, and it culminated in him being a healthy scratch for the Patriots’ Week 17 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
Should Trent Brown return to his 2022 form, his signing will help provide stability to the offensive line that Joe Burrow has yet to fully have since he was drafted in 2020.
The signing reunites Brown with former Patriots tight end Mike Gesicki, who the Bengals signed just seven days prior. It also once again pairs him with current Bengals center and fan favorite Ted Karras, who won a Super Bowl with Brown with New England back in 2019.
“We’re going to add some more guys obviously in the draft, but I think (we’ve) got the guys to do something special,” Karras said.
However, this signing is not, and should not be, the end for fixing the offensive line heading into 2024 and beyond. Brown is on a one year deal after a down season last year, and the Bengals must continue to build for their future as Joe Burrow’s record breaking contract sets in. The upcoming draft is rich with offensive line talent, especially at the right tackle position. Duke Tobin would be wise to invest in one of those players so the Bengals can have a long term answer on the edge of the offensive line.
The signing of Trent Brown, however, provides a short term solution that gives the next tackle time to develop and adjust to the NFL.
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