Former New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown was listed by most rankings as the top unrestricted free agent still on the market. Brown has now found a new home, agreeing to a one-year $3 million deal to join the Cincinnati Bengals. Brown joins Mike Gesicki as former Patriots players joining the Bengals this offseason.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport was the first to report the signing.
Trent Brown
Brown played two stints with the New England Patriots. He played his first three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. New England traded for Trent Brown (and a fifth-round pick) for a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He went on to start every game for the Patriots in 2018, helping the team become Super Bowl 53 champions. Following the season Brown signed with the Raiders as a free agent.
Trent Brown experienced two disappointing seasons with the Raiders. Las Vegas traded him back to the Patriots (with a seventh-round pick) for a fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has spent the past three seasons with New England. He played right tackle in 2021, but then switched sides with Isaiah Wynn in 2022. Last season Brown remained at left tackle. He started the year very strongly, before dropping off in the second half with injuries and a seeming lack of interest.
With the New England Patriots giving special consideration to positive attitudes and creating a certain culture around the team, a return for Brown never appeared to be in the cards.
Ian Rapaport reports that the Bengals plan is to start Trent Brown at right tackle, with Orlando Brown Jr. on the left. The New England Patriots meanwhile will work to figure out who will replace the big man on the left side in 2024.
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