The Las Vegas Raiders gave right tackle Trent Brown a four-year $66 million contract in 2019. At the time, it looked like the team had found a building block for years to come. Nevertheless, the signing doesn’t look good in retrospect and Brown’s tenure with the Silver and Black may be close to an end.
Trent Brown just hasn’t been available
Head coach Jon Gruden said in a sit-down with the local media that Brown’s inability to stay on the field has been disappointing. He added the right tackle has dealt with a lot of adversity but he hopes he is fully healthy next season. Brown will be out for the season finale and has just played in five games this season.
While ’77’ has been an asset when he’s dressed up, he has missed 15 games since he joined the Raiders. Last season, he earned a Pro Bowl designation in spite of missing five contests. He missed most of the 2020 season with a calf injury and will be out in Week 17 with a knee lesion.
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The Raiders need to make a decision
Gruden said the Raiders expect Brown to be back with the team next season. Nevertheless, that decision may not be in the team’s best interest. The team’s $7.6 million in the red and needs to free up some space in 2021. The right tackle will count $14 million against the cap and releasing him would open the same amount of money in the books. It’s true the 6-foot-8 standout has played well when he’s healthy. However, he has only played in all 16 games in a season twice in his career. Based on his injury history, it’s unlikely that will change in the future.
At the time, the signing of Brown made sense and even the cost was justified. Two years later, the move hasn’t paid off and the Raiders must consider what they will do with the right tackle and his hefty contract.
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*Top Photo: Leila Coker/Associated Press