Instant analysis after Bengals sign OT Trent Brown in free agency

What the Trent Brown signing means for the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals pivot out of the Jonah Williams era with free agent Trent Brown.

Cincinnati signed Brown to a one-year deal on Tuesday, locking down a veteran who has made a Pro Bowl (2019) and won a Super Bowl (LIII).

Brown, who turns 31 next month, arrives as the likely starter at right tackle for the Bengals next season, though his doing so is a nice short-term value because it doesn’t stop the team from selecting an offensive lineman in the opening round of the draft.

That’s a good angle for the team to take because while Brown is a quality starter, availability has been an issue. He appeared in just 11 games last year, starting eight. The year before that, 16 starts. From 2019-2021, he played no more than 11 games each season.

Still, that’s the type of give-and-take stuff a team will find at this stage of free agency at a premium position. The fact Brown has experience at both tackle spots is a bonus, though his struggles to stay on the field are a big reason one can’t rule out a Round 1 tackle.

If the main priority is to protect Joe Burrow, Brown should do it nicely:

There’s an obvious gamble with Brown, but it does follow the mold of recent prove-it deals that worked out at places like tight end.

In a perfect world, Brown can stay on the field and productive next season while the Bengals contend — and a rookie learns from the sideline.

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