Nine-year veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown is officially going to hit free agency. This news comes after the New England Patriots voided Brown’s contract, taking a $2 million dead cap hit while allowing the former seventh-round pick to reach the open market. Brown’s 2023 was tumultuous, to say the least. After a rough 2022 season where he reportedly butted heads with some members of the coaching staff, injuries and more off-field issues plagued him in 2023. Some within the organization believed that Brown wasn’t working hard enough to get back on the field, and this drama culminated in the Patriots benching him late in the season, causing him to lose a shot at some contract incentives.
#Patriots OT Trent Brown’s contract will void today without an extension from the team, setting him up to be a free agent March 13, per source.
Team will carry a $2 million dead cap into 2024 from his previous contract.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 19, 2024
There is no love lost between Trent Brown and the New England Patriots, but he should draw some interest in free agency. Despite all the off-field drama, Brown was still a reliable player when on the field. According to Pro Football Focus, Brown finished the season as the 11th-best tackle in the league among 81 eligible players.
Quarterback is unquestionably the most important position in the game, so some would argue that the man protecting the quarterback is the second most important. With a poor free agent class and not enough good starters to go around, Trent Brown could earn a solid deal in free agency.
Patriots Void OT Trent Brown’s Contract, Will Hit Free Agency
The biggest selling point for Trent Brown in free agency is his ability to play on both sides of the offensive line. The Florida product originally entered the NFL as a right tackle but switched to the left side in 2018 after arriving in New England. Since then, the tackle has consistently played both positions, depending on the needs of his team.
Brown also has a track record of success away from New England. While he is best known for his time with the Patriots, the offensive tackle has also found success with the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders. After a then-record-setting contract in free agency, Trent Brown earned his lone Pro Bowl selection with the Raiders in 2021.
This is one long way of saying that while Trent Brown carries some risk, he also has some decent upside in free agency. While he probably won’t break the bank, the following five teams could be interested in giving him a chance to start.
Best Team Fits
New Orleans Saints
For better or worse, the New Orleans Saints are going to have to build around Derek Carr in 2024. Carr isn’t the type of quarterback who can thrive regardless of the environment, but he is good enough to win in the right situation. The most important part of building around Carr is securing the offensive line. The former second-round pick is easily affected by pressure, so the Saints need to improve their left tackle spot if they want to get back to the playoffs. Seeing as the team is currently in salary cap hell, signing a relatively low-cost player like Trent Brown in free agency might just be the best choice for the organization.
Cincinnati Bengals
Death, taxes, and the Cincinnati Bengals looking for a better offensive tackle. Orlando Brown struggled during his first year with the Bengals, and former first-round pick Jonah Williams is a free agent. A motivated version of Brown will be an upgrade on Williams, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t go all-in for this organization. Historically speaking, Brown is at his best when playing on short-term deals on teams with Super Bowl aspirations. The Cincinnati Bengals fit that description to a tee, making them a perfect free agency destination for Trent Brown.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are going for the three-peat, and they could use someone like Trent Brown in free agency. While the interior offensive line is perhaps the best in the game, the tackle position is nothing special. Jawaan Taylor had a pedestrian first season on his massive deal, while Donovan Smith left something to be desired. The Chiefs know better than anyone just how important an offensive tackle can be – if their starters weren’t hurt in 2020, Mahomes might be a four-time Super Bowl champion right now.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers need to effectively rebuild their entire offense over the next few months. Bryce Young needs a chance to succeed, and that won’t happen with the current cast of receivers and offensive line talent. Ikem Ekwonu isn’t an active liability at tackle, but he’d probably be better at guard. Signing Trent Brown in free agency would allow Carolina to improve two positions and give Young the protection he needs to show what he can do at the NFL level.
Miami Dolphins*
This one comes with an asterisk, as the Miami Dolphins probably won’t sign Trent Brown in free agency if Terron Armstead returns. However, the five-time Pro Bowler has battled injuries over the past few years and has yet to commit to coming back in 2024. Back in early February, the longtime Saint said that he’d take his time to decide whether or not to come back in 2024. If he decides to call it a career, Trent Brown could be a must-sign for this organization.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports
