Trent Brown, an offensive tackle, was one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ most significant free agent acquisitions this offseason.
Given the specifics of his contract, his signing now ranks among the greatest bargains of the whole free agency window. The Bengals’ cap charge for Brown’s one-year deal is $4.4 million, per OverTheCap.com.
With $2 million in guaranteed money, Brown could earn $2.4 million from the deal if he plays in all 17 regular season games and maintains good health.
Trent Brown is an upgrade to the offensive line for the Cincinnati Bengals
Trent Brown was essentially acquired to take Jonah Williams’ job, a former tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals. Williams, a former Bengals first-round selection, never lived up to the hype. Williams was willing to spend much more than the Bengals were willing to pay him in order to play left tackle.
Williams ultimately agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Pro Football Focus reports that Williams had eight sacks allowed in 2024 and received a grade of 58.5.
If Trent Brown had been a member of the Bengals in 2023, his Pro Football Focus grade would have been extremely high. Even though he only participated in 11 games, Pro Football Focus gave him an 80.2 grade at the conclusion of the year. No offensive lineman from Cincinnati had a grade higher than 68.
Many people blame Williams, the person Brown would most likely replace if they select a starting quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft, for star quarterback Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury. Burrow’s wrist injury was caused by a hit from Baltimore Ravens edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, which Williams was unable to stop for a sufficient amount of time.
With the acquisition of Trent Brown being so cheap, the Cincinnati Bengals still have plenty of money to use in free agency.
Trent Brown costing less than $5 million means the Cincinnati Bengals will have more than $20 million to spend in free agency. Cincinnati has had a successful free-agency period thus far, but there are still certain gaps that need to be filled.
The Bengals will probably need to sign an experienced and successful cornerback before the 2024 season since cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is leaving. The Bengals’ pass defense was among the worst in the league, so even if Awuzie stayed, it might have been time to add a cornerback.
In terms of pass defense in the league in 2023, the Bengals were placed 28th. The Bengals could be in a position to make a strong postseason run if they recruit an experienced cornerback like Tre’Davious White or Xavien Howard. The addition of former Ravens safety Geno Stone and Carolina Panthers safety Vonn Bell will assist.
The Bengals also need help on the inside of the defensive line. A 330-pound hole has been left on the roster by the departure of defensive tackle D.J. Reader, one of the best run-stopping defensive tackles in the league.
Sheldon Rankins, a defensive tackle, was acquired by Cincinnati; however, Rankins does not play the same position as Reader. Rankins plays a little bit more outside than Reader would normally do. Although Rankins is more adept at getting to the quarterback, he lacks Reader’s stature and strength to take on double teams and halt the run.
Rankins outlined his reasons for joining the Bengals in a story published by Cincinnati’s Fox 19.
“Most people thought I wouldn’t move out of Houston,” Rankin remarked. “Everyone expected me to be back there, but for some reason, it didn’t work out. Nothing made more sense than here [Cincinnati], whether it was money, fit, or all of the above, all of which added up to me getting into a good position on a good football team with the appropriate people running it, once I started exploring elsewhere and having those talks. Everything made sense.
The wide receiver position is a final necessity that may arise based on the course of events. Tyler Boyd, another wide receiver, is exploring his options in free agency, while standout wide out Tee Higgins has asked to be traded. Even if Higgins, who has a franchise tag, plays for Cincinnati in 2024, there will still be a need to fill the third wide receiver post.
A high draft pick and a splash in free agency may be used to bolster the Bengals’ wide receiver depth if Higgins decides to go on. Although Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas are young wide receivers, the Bengals have demonstrated they have faith in them. Veteran wide receivers Hunter Renfrow and Odell Beckahm Jr. are still available.
The Bengals have a lot of options after signing Brown for a cheap price, but it’s uncertain what they’ll do with their remaining cap space.
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