Here's everything Trent Brown said in his Cincinnati Bengals introductory press conference

Trent Brown wasted no time signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. 

With his visit on Tuesday, the news of him joining the team was made official. And he spoke with the media for the first time immediately after. 

Here's everything the new Bengals offensive tackle said in his introductory press conference:

What made this such a good fit for you?

Brown: “Just the pieces that are already in place. I feel like it’s a plug and play situation. And the chance to go win.”

How did this come together and what led you here?

Brown: “Received a call from my agent Sunday saying that there was some interest and they might want to have a conversation. One thing led to another. The next day, I was told they want me to come on a visit. Got here late last night. Everything went well this morning. And I guess that’s about as smooth as you can say. Fly in, everything go well, and then signed the dotted line.”

When you talked to Zac (Taylor) and Frank (Pollack), what was the message conveyed to you as they look you through the process and what they were looking for from you next season?

Brown: “They told me they were looking for somebody that was coming to play and that, first and foremost, they said they believed in me, they believe in my game, they like my game. And they said how I played the game is everything that they believe in. They felt like this was missing to help them get over the top. So I was all for that, I was excited for that. And I’m even more excited now being here.”

As far as today’s visit, you got in late last night you said. It’s pretty quick to sign. What were you hoping to get out of the meetings this morning going into them? And I’m assuming you did get out of them what you wanted.

Brown: “So it was pretty much a reiteration and an extension of what we talked about over the phone before I even got on the plane to come here. And it was just telling them what they expected of me and what they believe should happen, and how they’ll go about things, and that’s just what it was. Straight-shooters and I can appreciate that.”

You’ve obviously played left tackle and right tackle, comfortable at both, was that a factor when you were looking at all of your options in free agency because they have Orlando Brown on the left side.

Brown: “I think that’s the beauty of my game, being able to play at an elite level on either side. It’s not really a big deal. I’m a plug and play guy on either side.”

Is there any concern that they could go in the draft as early as the first round to draft a guy to compete with?

Brown: “Not at all.”

When they talked to you, (did) they talk to you about being the starting right tackle for the upcoming season? Is that the projection?

Brown: “Yes sir.”

What does it mean to you to come to a team with a quarterback like Joe Burrow and to be a bookend with Orlando Brown Jr., left side and you on the right? What does it mean to you?

Brown: “It means a lot and it’s a little added motivation to do your job and keep him upright because you know he can make special things happen.”

In your mind, what’s the biggest key to getting back to the Pro Bowl form that you had a few years ago and what are you looking to do this year that you felt you could do better the last few years?

Brown: Really I feel like I’ll be worried less and just worry about playing football. I won’t have to worry about any off the field things and I’ll be able to just enjoy coming to work on a day to day basis. And that was important as well when we talk about fit.

One thing that New England had you do a lot is go up against these pass rushers in drop back situations, one-on-one. The Bengals like to throw the ball a lot. I’m sure you’ll be on some one-on-one situations like you have been against Myles Garrett, TJ Watt. How comfortable are you in those situations because you do it more than any other tackle in the league? 

Brown: “I’m very comfortable doing that. That’s what I do best. I think that's why I’m here. And like you said, you won’t find another tackle in the league or in the game of football today that does that better than me. I have a unique set of skills and being able to play both sides that way, and credit to God and my parents for that.”

You talk about being able to enjoy coming to work and that being a big thing. What was the last couple of years like for you and how big of a difference does it make for a player to enjoy coming into the building?

Brown: “Well I don’t really want to get into the last couple of years. Let’s talk about right now. Here with Coach Zac, I had a conversation with him, like I said, Sunday, and Coach Pollack on Sunday as well. Like I said, it was just an extension of that today which led to me signing the dotted line.”

How important was Dante Scarnecchia in your development and do you see any similarities with him and Coach Pollack and what he teaches?

Brown: “I haven’t seen Coach Pollack in action yet. He kind of told me that he’ll have some tips for me, but at this point in my career he’s going to let me play. But with Scar, I think he challenged me to be the player that I can be. And I accepted the challenge and that’s what I appreciated the most about him in my development.”

You talk about your unique set of skills that help you play either side of the line, what is about you, whether it is physically or mentally, that allows you to be that guy that can be versatile on the O-Line?

Brown: “Just gifted athletically. Being able to switch, playing either side. Coming in as a rookie, I started out a bit as the swing tackle and then overtime I won the job at the right tackle spot, and then when I got traded in 2018, I played left tackle full time for the first time. I had only had probably three starts at left tackle with the 49ers over the course of those three years. But it’s just a comfortability and overtime understanding that. I cross-train that way in the offseason so that I can be able to plug and play when the situation comes where I need to be, where I’m needed wherever at either tackle position.”

Does it help to know exactly what your role’s going to be here? You talked about coming out and being the right tackle. Does that help you in the offseason knowing that?

Brown: “Absolutely. It still wouldn't affect how I train. I still cross-train.”

Did you talk to Ted Karras before you came here and if so, what did he tell you about the culture here and what’s going on?

Brown: “He said he loved it here. He said that, ‘Bro, this is a great organization. It’s like a family over here.’ And I walked in the building this morning and he was in the hot tub getting ready to work out. So that even added to it, him being here on March 19 and the offseason program doesn’t start for another month almost. That was a huge thing right there in itself, just being from where we came from. When people get out of there for a release any chance we had.”

Did Ted show you his new tattoo? The Cincy tattoo?

Brown: “Nah, I heard about it though.”

Is there any difference between the guys playing on the left side on defense as opposed to the right side? Any difference at all? Speed, size, talent.

Brown: “I think we have a lot of great rushers in this league. I wouldn’t take any credit away from them on either side. I think we have a lot of great rushers in this league on either side.”

Who’s the best one you’ve faced?

Brown: “There’s been a lot of them. I’d say Von Miller, Myles Garrett.”

Why do you take so much pride in being able to play both sides? Because there are a lot of guys that would want to stick to one side, but you mentioned that you are going to cross-train?

Brown: “Just versatility and also it just helps your body stay aligned and stay even.”

What are your, whether it’s today, last night, or past times that you’ve been to Cincinnati, what are your impressions of Cincinnati as a city and the area?

Brown: “It’s a beautiful city. It’s a beautiful city. This is the first time I’ve been here in over 20 years I believe. This is just my second time here ever. But It’s a beautiful city. From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s a city built on family and family values and they love them some football.”

What was your first time here?

Brown: “I was like eight years old. Came to a conference with my dad.”

Playing in the NFL, you never played a game in Cincinnati?

Brown: “I haven’t.”

What’s this process been like for you? It’s been eight days since the tampering window opened. Are you a patient guy in nature? Or were you starting to wonder what was going on?

Brown: “I wasn’t too worried. I was patient enough to wait on the right fit. I think I’ve earned enough over the course of my career to where I’ve been able to be that way and the right fit came along, and here we are.”

Trent obviously you’ll be blocking for Joe Burrow. You mentioned Ted was in the building. I know that Joe has been in there a lot this offseason? Have you been able to talk to him yet? If so, what are those conversations been like

Brown: “No, I haven’t talked to him yet.”