The Las Vegas Raiders signed tackle Trent Brown last season to bolster their offensive line. So far, it is one of the best moves the team has made in the last two years.
The Raiders signed Brown to a four-year $66 million contract in 2019. That deal made him the second-highest right tackle in the league. Although the price might’ve been a bit too steep, he didn’t let that affect his play and helped instill a winning attitude.
Brown enters the 2020 season as the 15th best tackle in the NFL according to the Pro Football Network. Even though he missed five games because of injuries, he played 582 total snaps and allowed just one sack. Moreover, the Raiders offensive line was ranked eighth and Brown was one of the key cogs that made it possible.
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Brown’s Intangible Impact
Recently, Brown had a conversation with Anthony Galaviz of The Fresno Bee. In it, the veteran talked about his draft process and his time with the Raiders among other things.
Brown was 15 picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant (the last player to go in the draft) in 2015. He wasn’t happy about it and felt slighted.
I felt like I was disrespected. But at the same time, the whole time I knew I needed an opportunity to get my foot in the door and show what I can do. I just took it from there. I got a chip on my shoulder.
Eventually, he got his chance with the 49ers and later in New England, where he won a Super Bowl. Besides earning a championship with the Patriots, he also developed a specific mindset.
When I got to the Patriots, I learned the whole team aspect and learned how to win,” he said. “I learned what it means to have a winning attitude. In that organization, I learned that it’s either Super Bowl or failure.
Furthermore, Brown shared that he isn’t playing to earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors. Rather, he’s only interested in winning another Super Bowl. That’s precisely the kind of mentality Raiders general manager Mike Mayock looks for. For that reason, Brown’s signing made sense in spite of the price tag.
Brown Likes What He Sees
The work to rebuild the Raiders started last year. Even though the team had only three more wins than they did in 2018, Brown is excited about the process. He says they should continue improving this upcoming season.
I feel like we definitely got better this year,” he said. “We took strides last year and we’re going to continue to take strides and just put one foot in front of the other.
Brown believes the pieces are there, and foresees special times coming the Silver and Black’s way.
Even with the additions last year, me being one of them, you can look at those guys and trust the organization … to put the right players in place for us to win some games and win championships. With Henry Ruggs, and we still got one of the best backs in the league and we got the best offensive line in the league. I mean, it’s about to be scary.
Looking back, the Raiders did the right thing when they signed Trent Brown. If they continue steadily making smart moves, special times will indeed head their way.
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Top Photo: Pete Joneleit/Associated Press