Update 3/9/2021: Patriots acquire Trent Brown from Raiders for 2022 draft pick swap
The New England Patriots brining back Trent Brown after two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders comes at a cost, but it is relatively cheap for a starting-caliber offensive lineman. According to Jim McBride of the Boston Globe, New England will send a fifth-round draft pick in 2022 to the Raiders in exchange for Brown and a seventh-round selection.
Brown, who reworked his contract as part of the deal, will play on a one-year pact worth a maximum of $11 million. Given that he played in just five games last year, however, most of his playing time bonuses will be classified as not-likely to be earned and therefore not count against New England’s initial salary cap.
Original story 3/9/2021: Patriots expected to acquire offensive tackle Trent Brown via trade from the Raiders
The New England Patriots are making their first major move of the offseason. According to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to bring back a familiar face to shore up its offensive line: Trent Brown will re-join the Patriots, who are making a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders to bring him aboard.
Terms of the move are not known at this point in time, but it is coming with Brown having re-worked his contract as part of the trade. The 27-year-old was previously scheduled to have two years and $29 million left on the contract he signed with the Raiders in 2019, but will now become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.
Brown started his career with the San Francisco 49ers but was traded to the Patriots during the 2018 draft. In New England, he earned the starting left tackle job and helped the team win a Super Bowl — positioning himself for a major payday the following offseason: Brown signed a four-year, $66 million contract to become the highest paid offensive lineman in football.
His tenure with the team was a disappointment, though. While he did show his talents while playing right tackle for the Raiders, he also struggled to stay healthy: Brown played only 16 of a possible 32 games over the last two years, prompting the team to move on from him.
Now, Brown returns to New England to help bolster the depth along the offensive line. Where he will line up remains to be seen, but he will join a tackle group consisting of left-side starter Isaiah Wynn as well as long-time right tackle Marcus Cannon, impressive second-year man Michael Onwenu, and backup options Yodny Cajuste, Korey Cunningham and Justin Herron.