Amidst a number of changes on offense this offseason, one of the top priorities for the Chiefs is signing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a long-term extension. Doing so could be complicated by a number of factors, including, primarily, his contract demands. 
On that point, Armando Salguero of Outkick.com reports that Brown “wants to become the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL”. He adds that the 26-year-old is currently in the process of hiring a new agent, and that the matter of reaching the top of the tackle market (both in terms of annual compensation and guaranteed money) has been brought up at least once during that process.
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Brown this offseason, to no surprise. If a deal can’t be reached by mid-July, he will earn $16.7MM as a result, but getting the former third-rounder under contract for the foreseeable future has always been the goal for Kansas City. “He’s still working to get an agent, is what he’s doing” said head coach Andy Reid. “Once he gets that taken care of, we’ll be able to roll.”
Brown was drafted in 2018, the organization he grew up around during his father’s playing career. Seeking to play on the blindside – rather than at right tackle, where he spent most of his Ravens tenure – however, he requested a trade to a team which would allow him to do so. He manned the left tackle spot in Kansas City this year, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
That level of performance, coupled with his age, led to the $20MM-per-year mark being listed as a starting point when it was reported that contract negotiations were set to begin. The only tackles currently at that level of compensation are Trent Williams, David Bakhtiari and Laremy Tunsil. As Salguero writes, $25MM per annum and $50MM in guarantees “will be in the conversation” – which makes this situation one to watch for the Chiefs and any number of other offensive linemen around the league.
Can’t be surprised, I mean he’s talked in the last about his dad telling him he needs to be a tackle and not a guard because that’s where the money is. That was also part of the issue with his departure from the Ravens when he was traded.
He was told he needed to be a left tackle not a right tackle. He never played guard.
That’s what I meant, not sure how I blanked so hard on that haha good catch.
Still not surprised he is looking for top end money going from right to left and being shipped off by the Ravens to avoid this issue they saw coming.
That being said, he’s a 3x PB player and should expect to be paid accordingly I think.
Pay that man!! Tackles usually age well too
He is a good solid OT, all these guys want top of the market money. They are so greedy and full of crap when they say “It’s not about the Money” It’s ALWAYS about the Money.
The Chiefs dug themselves a hole when they traded for him without coming to an agreement on an extension. His play does not justify being the highest paid left tackle in the league. In fact, his play did not justify even being a starting left tackle for Baltimore! However, he’ll probably get close to what he wants because the Chiefs can’t just let him sit after giving up a first round pick for him. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Strange move that trade by the Chiefs when they had already signed the blockbuster extension with Mahomes which left the cupboards bare. NFL superstar teams usually quickly implode, unless they are led by Tom Brady who leads by example (leaving money on the table). The Chiefs looks to be another Cowboys story with a superstar quarterback, a couple of other stars and UDFA and fifth round draft picks everywhere else.
That missing first round pick with five years of guaranteed salary really hurts now. Was it worth it to be knocked out in the AFC Championship Game by the Bengals? One more year to see what dividends the trade bears. The franchise tag works in favour of the Chiefs this year, as Brown has to play up to his billing as one of the best tackles in football or forego the big new contract he covets.
If the Chiefs pay Brown now, he could “lose his motivation” and just pay adequate ball. Happens a lot.