The battle in the trenches can be fascinating to watch and can determine the entire outcome of the game. You need look no further than Super Bowl 59, where the Kansas City Chiefs were demolished at their offensive line, leading to a 40-22 blowout in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Orlando Brown Jr. is one of the lone bright spots for the franchise on an otherwise underwhelming offensive front. Recently, he listed the five most dangerous opponents he has to block. A former divisional rival, Maxx Crosby, did not make Brown’s cut.
Orlando Brown Jr.’s Slight Against Maxx Crosby
Brown signed with Cincinnati at the start of the 2023 offseason on a massive four-year contract worth $64 million. Fresh off four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory with the Kansas City Chiefs, the deal felt deserving for one of the league’s better offensive tackles.
However, his 2024 season did not turn out the way Brown expected. He could only suit up for 11 games while dealing with a fractured fibula. The Bengals’ offensive line, already a weakness, suffered tremendously.
The unit finished 29th on PFSN’s OL+ metric, behind the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. During an NFL Live on ESPN appearance, one of the league’s more accomplished blockers was asked about his premier opponents.
Brown ranked five names from the available list curated by the network. “These are some of the best guys, man. I hate to have to rank them.” But the first name off the board was Melvin Ingram.
“Truly one of the more special athletes that I played during my time since I’ve been in the pros,” a relatively underrated name, Brown admitted. “A lot of people wouldn’t think that, but you got to respect him, man, he was a dog.”
The next name on the list at four wasn’t a surprise, as he picked Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers. A five-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year, Bosa has cemented his position atop the defensive food pyramid.
Next was T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has led the league in sacks since 2018, with 101 total. Brown reiterated, “Having to rank these dudes s***s, because all of these dudes you could argue number one for all of them.”
A divisional rival for much of his career, Brown will see Watt two more times this season when the Bengals face Pittsburgh. Next was another divisional rival, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett.
At number one, it was the brother of T.J. Watt, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, J.J. Watt.
As he praised Watt as the only player to beat him even when he had a perfect snap, one name’s omission rang loud and clear. Maxx Crosby, whom Brown faced as a divisional opponent during his time with the Chiefs, was nowhere to be seen.
Before Garrett stole his thunder, Crosby had signed the contract to make him the highest-paid defensive player in league history for the revamped Las Vegas Raiders. A four-time Pro Bowler, the two squared off on four separate occasions.
The Chiefs swept those games 4- 0, but Crosby recorded 11 tackles and three sacks. Still, Brown chose the other five names over the Raiders superstar. Unfortunately, Crosby will not get to enact his revenge this upcoming season.
But given his personality, it seems inevitable that the former All-Pro will be out for blood the next time the two square off.