The Cincinnati Bengals must address a hole at offensive tackle after Jonah Williams joined with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. And it looks they are looking for someone who has spent the last three seasons with the New England Patriots.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Trent Brown will go to Cincinnati on Tuesday to meet with the Bengals on Wednesday.
Brown battled injuries throughout his time in New England, but there was a lot of drama surrounding the offensive lineman toward the close of the 2023 season.
The 30-year-old was a healthy scratch against the Buffalo Bills for the first time in his professional career. He hadn’t even set up a locker at Highmark Stadium. Then-coach Bill Belichick told reporters that he played anyone who wished to do so.
The next week, Brown missed every practice leading up to the Patriots’ season finale against the New York Jets. He was claimed to be unwell, and the Boston Herald reported that same week that Brown was telling those in the locker room that he had decided on his next destination.
When considering a potential contract extension to stay in New England, Brown told A to Z Sports’ Sophie Weller that they had a chance to negotiate something, and he felt he was doing himself a disservice if he didn’t test the free agent market.
When Brown was healthy, he was undoubtedly one of their best offensive players. However, injuries, illness, and some off-field controversy prevented him from playing all 17 games in 2023.
A fresh start for Brown might be helpful for the offensive tackle, and he could be a good fit for a Bengals club that expects to have a fully healthy Joe Burrow back in the lineup as they seek to rebound and return to the playoffs.
