Karras persuaded Brown to join Cincinnati, selling him on the culture.
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to refine their offensive line in free agency with the addition of imposing right tackle Trent Brown.
Now, four out of the five presumed starting offensive linemen for the 2024 season have been acquired through free agency, with the lone exception being left guard Cordell Volson.
Center Ted Karras, who previously won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, played a pivotal role in enticing his former teammate Brown to join the Bengals, who was also part of that championship-winning team.
“Brown just wanted to gauge our coaches, staff, and the overall atmosphere of the program,” Karras explained during an interview with Elise Jesse. “We have exceptional coaches and a truly great culture here. I shared all of that with him and spoke to the coaches as well. I believe this is an ideal fit, and Brown, who has excelled at the highest level for an extended period, sees it too.”
Karras’ endorsement of Brown’s fit with the team is promising. The right tackle position has been unstable in recent years, and bringing in someone who can provide stability for a season is a logical move, offering quarterback Joe Burrow the best chance for success.
While this year’s draft class features a deep pool of talented offensive tackles, many anticipate the Bengals using an early draft pick to secure a tackle for the future, considering Brown’s one-year deal. However, with Brown now signed, the team may not need to utilise the No. 18 overall pick on a tackle.
If Karras’ influence helps the Bengals unlock Brown’s full potential, both the team and Brown could reap significant rewards. Subsequently, Brown may choose to re-sign with the Bengals or pass the torch to a young and talented tackle, leaving the position in a much more favourable state than he found it.
