Report: Patriots to trade for Raiders OT Trent Brown
The New England Patriots agreed to terms on a trade for Las Vegas Raiders tackle Trent Brown, according to multiple reports. The Patriots will send a fifth-round pick to the Raiders for Brown, a starting right tackle, and a seventh-round pick. Though the terms are in place, the trade will not be official until the league year begins on March 17.
As a part of the trade, Brown has agreed to take a pay cut. He had a two years and $30 million left on his contract. New England and Brown have instead agreed upon a $11 million contract.
Can confirm the #Patriots will acquire offensive tackle Trent Brown and a seventh-round pick in 2022 from the Raiders in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Brown, who was terrific in his one year in NE, has a agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million. ESPN first to report.
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) March 9, 2021
Brown spent the 2018 season with the Patriots, who started him all 16 games at left tackle. They acquired him in a draft-day trade by swapping picks with the San Francisco 49ers.
Brown joins the presumed starters at left tackle Isaiah Wynn and right tackle Marcus Cannon. Wynn is entering the fourth and potentially final year of his rookie deal, with the fifth year option looming. He has missed 30 games in his first three seasons. Cannon, meanwhile, didn’t play in 2020, and will make $9 million in 2021. If the Patriots cut or traded him, he would relieve about $7 million in cap space. New England also found offensive lineman Michael Onwenu to be a competent starter at guard and tackle after the Patriots drafted him in the sixth round in 2020.
The jumbled offensive line situation doesn’t stop there. The Patriots have two starters that are pending free agents: guard Joe Thuney and center David Andrews. It will be interesting to see if moving Brown is a response to the Patriots’ expecting multiple departures, whether by release or free agency.
