Orlando Brown thinks contract will get done because Chiefs need him in stacked AFC West
Since the end of last season, AFC West teams have added some star pass rushers to an already-solid group.
Khalil Mack (Chargers), Chandler Jones (Raiders) and Randy Gregory (Broncos) will join Joey Bosa, Maxx Crosby and Bradley Chubb in chasing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes this fall.
That influx of talented defensive players is a big reason why left tackle Orlando Brown is confident he’ll soon reach a deal on a long-term contract with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Brown in March, and there is a mid-July deadline for the two sides to work out a multi-year contract. If no deal is in place by the deadline, Brown will play under the franchise tender (if he signs the one-year, $16.5 million contract).
Brown, who hired agent Michael Portner last week, was on Tuesday’s “NFL Total Access” with Mike Garafolo and Shaun O’Hara and talked about his optimism about a deal getting done.
“Very confident, very confident man, especially simply based off the things that have come into effect within our division, the type of defensive ends that have been brought in and the type of players and all of that type of stuff, man,” Brown said. “It’s not the year to go into the season with a backup left tackle. So I’m very confident that the Kansas City Chiefs will get that done.”
While Brown has missed offseason workouts, he’s been training in Miami with Bommarito Performance Systems.
Part of that regiment has included Brown playing tennis. He explained why that sport is beneficial.
“Really just helping developing that footwork and that feel. As you can see naturally, I’m kicking a little bit like a pass pro,” Brown said. “It’s just really getting that feel and understanding how my body moves, using my hips. Something that’s underappreciated at our position is hand-eye coordination.
“I know we’re not catching the football or anything like that (but) being able to see a target and hit a target while that’s moving and you’re moving.”
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 8:44 AM.
