The Patriots’ offseason got off to a seemingly slow start, but business is apparently picking up in New England in the second week of free agency.
According to NFL Network the Patriots have reached a deal to re-sign behemoth offensive tackle Trent Brown.
Brown started nine games at right tackle for New England last season, including the final eight games of the year after suffering a calf injury in Week 1 that sidelined him for two months.
Prior to last season, Brown jumpstarted his NFL career by starting all 16 games at left tackle in 2016 for the Patriots, protecting Tom Brady’s blindside on the way to a Super Bowl ring. That production earned Brown a massive $66 million contract in free agency from the Raiders, though he played in just 16 total games over two seasons in Oakland/Las Vegas before returning to Foxborough via trade last offseason.
Brown, who’ll turn 29 early next month, had reportedly made a free agent visit to the Seahawks but kept a return to New England very much an open possiblity.
According to ESPN, New England had also made a competitive offer to former Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins, who reached a deal over the weekend to sign with the Bengals.
Brown’s return to the New England line gives the Patriots a third returning starter from last season, joining left tackle Isaiah Wynn and center David Andrews. The team lost left guard Ted Karras to the Bengals in free agency and traded right guard Shaq Mason to the Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Third-year former 2020 starter and versatile backup Mike Onwenu is likely to fill one of the open slots in the starting lineup this coming fall.
There is no question, though, the 6-8, 380-pound Brown is a big piece on the Patriots offensive line moving forward, both in terms of protecting Mac Jones and opening holes for the Damien Harris-led ground game.
