Orlando Brown: Bengals Made Wise Investment
Orlando Brown is a polarizing topic for the hard core NFL fans. Some think he’s overrated and they may have a point. However, even the haters can’t deny this deal for Brown. The Bengals inked the former Ravens and Chiefs tackle to a four-year deal worth $64 million and I can’t help but feel this move just might swing the AFC in 2023.
A: Look at the other big free agent tackles that got signed. I didn’t see Mike McGlinchey and Jawaan Taylor significantly outdoing him.
McGlinchey signed a five year deal worth $87.5 million. $50 million of which is guaranteed. Can we just be honest about McGlinchey? He’s fine in the run game but good hell he’s not worth that. Especially given the flaws he has in pass protection. It’s a significantly higher deal than what Brown got and I’d take Brown on my team over him any day of the week. Not a shot McGlinchey could play left tackle under any circumstance.
Then we have Jawaan Taylor. I spoke about this on my last appearance on the daily show but this deal to me never made any sense. Taylor signed a four-year deal worth $80 million and $60 of which is guaranteed. Why not keep Brown if you’re going to hand out that type of money? Oh, and Andrew Wylie is gone too. Did you just give a right tackle that kind of money or are you planning on converting a guy to left that we have no idea if he can actually do it? This isn’t Brown who is built like a house. This is Taylor who didn’t even play left tackle at Florida.
It seems like an odd move by a Chiefs team that just won the Super Bowl after giving up zero sacks to a Philly team that led the league in that category by a mile. Nor does it make any sense. Given the fact that it was an open market free agent contract, to get Brown at age 26 and paid as the 17th highest paid tackle? Where do I sign?
B: How do you not love this move by the Bengals? Who knows what’s going to happen with Jonah Williams? Maybe that throws a wrinkle into things. Regardless, Brown is a massive upgrade over what the Bengals were trotting out there a year ago.
This move might also let them upgrade at three separate spots if they choose to keep Williams. What happens if La’El Collins moves to guard with Williams shifting to the right side? A Bengals offensive line that was already improving now moves up another tier. You add that along with Joe Burrow and the weapons they already have?
Give it up Orlando Brown haters. This was a great move by the Bengals and it very well might be the missing piece to a Super Bowl team.
Side note: I loved the fact that Brown ripped Todd McShay and ESPN after the fact. Yes, Brown had a bad combine. Even he would admit that. Still, that was a great gamble in the 4th round. His dad played in the league and he’s basically the same guy except built more like Bryant McKinnie. He’s a successful 4th round pick any way you slice it haters!
