Bengals make shocking move to protect Joe Burrow
Cincinnati pulls off a blockbuster signing.
The Cincinnati Bengals just added some muscle to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
In an eye-opening move, the Bengals have acquired four-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. on a four-year deal worth $64.092 million which includes a $31 million signing bonus, the most ever for an offensive lineman.
Brown will get nearly 68% of his deal fully guaranteed with $42.3 million through the first two years and $49.9 million through the three years.
The deal is a steal for the Bengals as Brown is only the 17th highest-paid offensive tackle in the NFL.
A former third-round pick in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens, Brown played right tackle at the start of his career but moved to left tackle in 2020 when Ronnie Stanley got injured.
Brown was put back on the right side once the Ravens expected Stanley to return healthy which led to Brown requesting a trade. That's what led to Brown landing with the Kansas City Chiefs where he's played on the left side for the last two seasons.
Brown's father, Orlando Brown Sr, played left tackle for 10 seasons in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. He tragedy died at the age of 40 in 2011.
It meant a lot to Brown to play on the left side to honor his father which he mentioned after getting his deal.
"I'm super thankful for the opportunity to carry on my father's legacy and be a left tackle, said Brown. "It was important to be able to play that position and play for a winning team and a winning quarterback. Who Dey!"
This is the second consecutive off-season that the Bengals have invested heavily in their offensive line. Right tackle La'el Collins, center Ted Karras, and right guard Alex Cappa were all signed last March.
With Brown now on board, right tackle Jonah Williams may have to find another spot to play or serve as a backup to Brown.
The most important priority for the Bengals is to protect Burrow and they just added another piece to do just that.
