Orlando Brown Jr. is one of the best offensive tackles in the game and is the 15th-ranked overall free agent on Pro Football Network’s Top 75 Free Agents list. What sort of contract could Brown land during free agency, and what are his notable stats and accolades?
Update 03/07/2021: Orlando Brown will be franchise tagged by the Kansas City Chiefs, Pro Football Network has confirmed. ESPN first reported.
Orlando Brown Jr.: Free Agency Overview
Ever since posting a rough day at the NFL Scouting Combine and being drafted in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens, Brown has done nothing to disprove the truism that the performance in actual football situations and games matters so much more than physical testing results. The Oklahoma product is a huge, strong blocker who should command big offers if he hits free agency.
Recapping Brown’s 2021 season
The Chiefs’ left tackle was selected to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year. Brown’s rookie deal is expiring, and Kansas City will likely use the franchise tag if they can’t work out a long-term deal. The way he played last season was encouraging enough to warrant one of those two outcomes.
Brown’s contract estimate and salary cap implications
One estimate from Spotrac had Brown at five years, $116.6 million. That would be a massive payday for the son of the late Orlando Brown, a former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns offensive tackle. Brown Jr. is the Chiefs’ long-term answer at left tackle.
Possible landing spots for Brown
Kansas City is the most likely spot, and most predict he stays with the Chiefs. Obviously, the Cincinnati Bengals could use Brown if he somehow hits the market.
What they’re saying about Brown
“As far as Orlando, he was a guy that had a dream to play left tackle and had a small sample size of him playing left tackle at Baltimore. He’s another unique character too where when you talk about a culture and when you talk about a guy that does everything the right way, Orlando Brown is in the category.” — Chiefs general manager Brett Veach on Brown, making it clear he’s in their plans.