Ben babyESPN staff writer2 minute reading
The Cincinnati Bengals They are serious about protecting the quarterback Joe BurrowSigned four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. A four-year, $64 million deal, his agent Michael Portner confirmed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Bengals paid a premium to land Brown Kansas City Chiefs The star was one of the best offensive tackles available in free agency. According to Portner, the deal includes a signing bonus of more than $31 million, the highest ever for an offensive lineman.
The signing bonus is $10 million more than that of offensive linemen Ted Karras, Alex Cappa And Lyle Collins They got it together when he signed with the Bengals last offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers And New York Jets Other teams that have shown interest in Brown include
He immediately elevates an offensive line that has improved at times in pass blocking, but is still near the bottom of the league. The Bengals ranked 30th in pass block success rate, an ESPN metric powered by NFL Next Gen.
Brown would also become the most talented player on the roster, with back-to-back Pro Bowl selections from 2019-22. Wide receiver Jammer Chase Previously the only player on Cincinnati’s roster with multiple Pro Bowl selections (two).
If Brown continues to play left tackle, it’s a former first-round pick Joanna Williams A new position must be found. Williams, who picked up his fifth-year option last season, has been the team’s primary starter on the left side of the offensive line since being drafted in 2019.
Brown and the Chiefs couldn’t agree on a long-term contract last season, so he spent the season playing their franchise, earning about $16.6 million.
Brown, who turned 27 in May, was acquired by the Chiefs in a 2021 trade. Baltimore Ravens. He was the starting left tackle for every game except one in his two seasons with the Chiefs. He was a Pro Bowl selection in both seasons, using his massive 6-foot-8, 340-pound frame to post a 91.8% success rate when blocking. Patrick MahomesIt also ranks 18th among all offensive tackles.
He played three seasons for the Ravens, where he was mostly a right tackle. He asked to be traded from Baltimore so he could play left tackle in part because he wanted to fulfill a promise he made to his late father, Orlando, a former NFL offensive tackle.
Brown has appeared in 81 games (75 starts) over his five NFL seasons and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons.
ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.
