EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 25: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on November 25, 2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 27-13. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Offensive tackle Trent Brown is heading back to the bay area after agreeing to terms on a contract with the Oakland Raiders.
The Oakland Raiders are in a full-blown rebuild. They own four of the first 35 picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Before they can use those picks to build the team, new coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock are focusing on the draft. The first signing the team has made is former New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Only 25 years old, turning 26 before next season, Brown was traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Patriots prior to last season. He was an anchor for the Patriots Super Bowl run last year. He was traded in part because of a lack of scheme fit with San Francisco.
Here is what the deal looks like for both sides.
Contract Details
Schefter reports that Brown has been signed to the largest contract in NFL history for an offensive lineman. The deal includes $36.75 million guaranteed with a full contract worth $66 million over four years.
National Reaction
The player himself is thanking God on twitter.
NFL Network’s Josh Norris seems a little perplexed by the size of Brown’s contract.
ESPN’s Field Yates is already off the Raiders and praising the Patriots crafty front office for how they utilize Brown.
Grade: B
Brown is a solid player. The fact that he is going from a New England system that is so multiple and has the quarterback get the ball out of his hand quickly to Oakland where the system is a bit more traditional could hurt his value.
For Oakland this is an odd move on the field. The team spent a first round pick on tackle Kolton Miller a year ago. Schefter reports this move pushes Miller to the right side.
Monetarily this is a risky move as well. Brown is talented and young enough that four years of his play leaves him at 30 years old. Oakland had significant cap space to utilize, even after their recent moves. Brown gives them a solid presence on the left side to help protect Derek Carr, or whoever is playing quarterback next year. The only issue is there is limited evidence that he is an elite left tackle and he is now being paid as the best.