The New England Patriots put a deal in place to trade for Las Vegas Raiders tackles Trent Brown, per multiple reports. And the acquisition speaks to New England’s offensive line uncertainty in 2021 and 2022. The unit was consistent and excellent in 2020 — but the plan looks particularly hazy for the coming year.
I recognize fans don’t have huge in the offensive line. But the Patriots are on the hunt for a quarterback. And you can bet that galvanizing the offensive line will make New England a hotter destination to play. This move impacts the Patriots’ offensive line — and the quarterback position.
New England, which started Brown at left tackle in 2018, will get the player and a 2022 seventh round pick in exchange for a 2022 fifth round pick. The Patriots also agreed to a restructured deal with Brown, who will play on a one-year deal worth up to $11 million in 2021 (rather than the remaining two years worth $30 million on the previous deal with the Raiders).
Even with the pay cut, Brown could be the highest-paid tackle on the Patriots. As we learn more about the contract, we’ll see what sort of incentives are in place and whether he’s likely to earn them. Brown will join left tackle Isaiah Wynn, right tackle Marcus Cannon and versatile lineman Michael Onwenu, who started at tackle for much of 2020.
Let’s take a look at what’s likely to transpire on the offensive line in the coming weeks.
First, let’s look at right tackle. The most obvious impact falls on Cannon, who is set to earn $9 million in 2021 after opting out in 2020. Cutting or trading Cannon would free up roughly $7 million in cap space. Perhaps after acquiring Brown, the Patriots will look to part ways with Cannon at any point between now and the trade deadline at midseason.
Left tackle Wynn is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which means New England has to decide whether to enact his fifth-year option, which adds one year and $10.1 million in 2022 to Wynn’s deal. Considering he’s missed 30 games in his first three seasons, that’s a tough decision for New England. But if Brown is signed to a one-year deal, it’s possible his deal has little bearing over Wynn’s future. If Brown’s deal extended beyond 2021, then perhaps we could make a stronger connection between the Brown trade and Wynn’s future in New England.
It’s important to state, however, that with Cannon aging and Wynn struggling to stay on the field, the Patriots may be interested in keeping all three tackles, if only because they recognize all three will serve as starters at some point in 2021.
In the interior, it’s also very complicated. Onwenu isn’t going anywhere, except, likely, to guard. Though he was a standout at tackle, there seems to be a logjam now at the position. Meanwhile, New England may anticipate Joe Thuney leaving in free agency after the team placed the franchise tag on him in 2020. Onwenu could slot seamlessly in for Thuney. And then there’s starting center David Andrews, another pending free agent. Perhaps he’s a player the Patriots think they can extend.
With all that in mind, here’s what I would expect the offensive line to look like in 2021.
Wynn – Onwenu – Andrews – Mason – Brown.
The Patriots are likely to try to trade Cannon — or stash him as a backup and insurance policy in case Wynn gets injured. New England will also likely to let Thuney depart in free agency, largely because Onwenu can replace Thuney. Andrews, however, is another story. The Patriots will want to keep him — he’s one of the smartest and most consistent players on the team. There’s a small chance Brown and Wynn switch places (from right to left and vice versa), but the Patriots probably want to give Wynn another season at the position they drafted him at 23rd overall to play.
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