Free Agency Farewell: Trent Brown, Patriots 'Looking Different Directions'
The first domino of the New England Patriots' offseason has fallen ... and it appears to reveal a new color.
Offensive lineman Trent Brown more or less confirmed that he'll be moving on from Foxborough in a Saturday appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, remarking to host Zig Fracassi that he and the Patriots are "both looking in different directions."
Brown's second term with the Patriots appears to be ending on a sour note: a plethora of injuries limited him to 11 games. The 30-year-old returned to the Patriots in 2021 after previously partaking in the franchise's most recent champion run three seasons prior. He also picked up a Pro Bowl nomination in 2019 as a member of the Oakland Raiders.
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Despite the decent memories relations between Brown and the Patriots reportedly sank during the trials of the 2023 season: he was reportedly healthy to play a late game against the Buffalo Bills but supposedly sat out to protect his future and also remarked that Foxborough was "not a vacation spot" in an interview shortly after season's end.
In the wake of his injury issues, Brown assured teams that he was "healthy and ready to go."
In addition to his time with the Patriots, Brown has also worked with the Raiders franchise and the San Francisco 49ers, who provided his league entry as a seventh-round pick out of Florida in 2015.
Players will be eligible to sign with new teams beginning on Wednesday. New England's offense is facing a potential rough week ahead: Brown will have his share of suitors, but the presence of Michael Onwenu is also intriguing. Brown perhaps offered the Patriots a twisted parting gift by driving up his price with negotiations reportedly underway.
"I don't think I've ever seen him do it, but I think he could probably play center too. I think he has the mind for it," Brown said of Onwenu via ESPN. "To play both guard (spots) and right tackle at a high level, I don't think you're going to find that too often."
