Trent Brown is among the top remaining offensive tackles on the free agent market, a premium position that NFL teams are willing to pony up for given its importance. Where could Brown end up signing in free agency?
Trent Brown Free Agency Landing Spots
Brown entered free agency ranked as the 37th-best free agent overall and fifth-best offensive tackle option in PFN’s list of the top 100 free agents, putting him firmly among the options for teams looking to solidify themselves at offensive tackle.
Brown’s NFL career has featured plenty of ups and downs after being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, including a strong 2018 season with the New England Patriots that earned him a big contract from the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason.
Injuries have been a big part of the story as well, however, derailing his one season in Las Vegas and two of his three years with the Patriots. Brown played all 17 of New England’s games in 2022, but he made nine appearances (all starts) in 2021 and 11 appearances with eight starts this past season.
Brown’s time with the Patriots saw a bit of an unceremonious end, too, as he was a healthy scratch for the team’s Week 17 contest and inactive in Week 18.
Still, Brown’s proven skill set as an NFL offensive tackle with years of experience alongside a massive frame at 6-foot-8 and approximately 370 pounds make him the kind of player who plenty of squads would want to add to their offensive front.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have been linked to Brown for some time, particularly after RT Jonah Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals this week. Brown played LT each of the last two years in New England, but he also has prior experience at right tackle and could certainly help fill the void left by Williams in Cincinnati.
Brown’s relationship with Bengals offensive guard Ted Karras and tight end Mike Gesicki, both of whom he played with on the Patriots, could also entice him to join Cincinnati.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are another team that could use some OT help amid some likely turnover up front, with lineman Andrus Peat hitting free agency after appearing at left tackle this past season. If New Orleans doesn’t intend to bring him back, signing Brown is certainly another means for the franchise to fill the void at left tackle with a proven contributor.
Signing with New Orleans would also mean Brown reunites with quarterback Derek Carr, who he blocked for during his one injury-derailed season in Las Vegas.
Carolina Panthers
Few teams in the NFL need offensive line help as badly as the Panthers, which allowed rookie first overall pick Bryce Young to take 62 sacks, the second most in 2023. Carolina has already signed veteran offensive guard Robert Hunt to a lucrative contract, but the Panthers could add some much-needed OT help as well by signing Brown.
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It’s unclear if the Panthers would be willing to shell out significant money for another veteran offensive lineman or instead look to the draft, but signing Brown seems like a sure-fire way to continue improving their offensive front.
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