After agreeing to terms with interior offensive lineman Austin Blythe, the Seahawks are eyeing a bigger (in every sense) fish on their line. Free-agent tackle Trent Brown is planning to meet with the team Thursday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.
However, Brown is still considering a return to the Patriots, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, who relays Brown’s comments about his free agency. The mammoth tackle said he is open to signing with another contender as well. The right tackle market is especially thin, giving Brown some value as one of the best linemen still available. New England’s line will look a bit different next season, with starters Shaq Mason and Ted Karras departing. Brown’s decision will determine if the Pats need to replace two starting blockers or three.
Brown has spent time in the NFC West, beginning his career with the 49ers, before relocating via a 2018 trade. Brown’s value has yo-yoed in the years since that deal, but he played well when healthy in New England last season. The Seahawks are also short on tackles presently, having lacked a right-side option for a bit and having Duane Brown in free agency.
Trent Brown set an offensive lineman record when he signed a four-year, $66M deal with the Raiders in 2019. That partnership proved effective for one season, when Brown became the rare right tackle invited to the Pro Bowl in 2019, but various 2020 setbacks led to the Raiders trading him back to the Patriots. Brown ran into more injury trouble in New England, missing eight games last season, but the 6-foot-8, 380-pound blocker was a key part of one of the NFL’s top O-lines when on the field.
With Duane Brown in free agency, the Seahawks have only one notable contract on their O-line — ex-Trent Brown Raiders teammate Gabe Jackson. The Seahawks acquired Jackson via trade last year. One year remains on his contract.
Trent Brown has played both left and right tackle in his seven pro seasons, though most of that work has come on the right side. Brown played left tackle for the Super Bowl-winning 2018 Patriots but has been a right-side fixture in every other season.
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