Nate Taylor: Chiefs expected to franchise OBJ again [not happening]

[The Franchise]

Brown is technically the Chiefs’ top free agent, though for the second consecutive year, he might never reach the open market. Similar to last year, the Chiefs are expected to place the franchise tag on Brown, which will prevent him from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Such a move will allow both parties more time to negotiate a lucrative contract extension. If the parties cannot agree to a deal by the middle of July, Brown would once again be restricted to a one-year salary of $18.4 million, according to Over The Cap.

https://theathletic.com/4161606/2023...3&redirected=1

The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes the Chiefs are "expected" to place the franchise tag on LT Orlando Brown again.

Brown played on the tag last year, briefly threatening to not report to camp before showing up on time. Since coming over for the Ravens in a trade, Brown has been stellar if not exceptional, and would probably profile as one of the five best free agents on the market if he got there. Taylor also writes that Brown turned down a six-year, $139 million deal with a $30.25 million signing bonus last offseason.

Not really new news...but he won't be hitting the open market at least.

Originally Posted by ShowtimeSBMVP

In a surprise twist, the Chiefs will not be franchise tagging left tackle Orlando Brown, per source. He’s set to be a free agent March 13. The player has been notified.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 6, 2023

[old_geezer]

After sleeping on it I think Veach realizes we have Creed and Trey Smith coming up soon. If we're going to spend money on the OL I'd rather spend it on one or both of them. I don't think it will be a major problem to replace OBJ with a tackle that may not be as good overall as OBJ but fits our offence better (better pass blocking). Whatever it is, as several others have said, Veach knows what he's doing.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by BWillie

How bad was Joe Thuney at LT? How many games has he played tackle? I DO NOT want them to do this and Im sure this is not plan A but curious.

He was not very good. Emergency option at best. I'd say in terms of worst case tackle games he was above Kyle Turley and the tampa super bowl, but nothing you want game in and game out for any extended time.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Wanting more money for free agency is a pretty bizarre reasoning to just not tag him, though. If you need $ that bad there are plenty of other avenues to get some. A Jones extension and a Mahomes restructure gets you plenty to work with. Think Veach has realized there's just not a viable path forward to agreeing to a deal that both sides are satisfied with so he's ripping the band-aid off.

That’s what I am thinking as well. I think he’s been planning for this all season. There might have been hope that a deal could be worked out, but once the season ended it became clear that might not be possible. As such he’s moving on. I just don’t believe that he’s letting Brown possibly walk with no backup plan.

[493rd]

Chiefs had Brown for 2 seasons and gave up multiple draft picks to get him. LTs don’t just fall off trees for the taking in FA and finding a good one in the draft usually means you’re drafting in the upper-half. No reason to believe Veach doesn’t have a plan here, but it’s a big risk regardless to not franchise him again.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by O.city

Yeah, I think so. I don't know if they'll just sit and draft someone.

With the wording coming out, they don't want the 20 million anvil on the cap so they can't be free agency players, so there's someone they are wanting.

And they want a long term LT deal. So it's either "Go see what you can get OBJ and come back and let us know" or we have something else up our sleeve.

Yep that is my belief as well.

[RockChalk]

Nice to see some of the Madden players in here suggest that we just move someone over from G to play LT if needed. Gonna feel like 2 years just to get to July at this point.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by 493rd

Chiefs had Brown for 2 seasons and gave up multiple draft picks to get him. LTs don’t just fall off trees for the taking in FA and finding a good one in the draft usually means you’re drafting in the upper-half. No reason to believe Veach doesn’t have a plan here, but it’s a big risk regardless to not franchise him again.

It’s also a big risk franchising him. That tag takes up a lot of space that KC could use for other players. Also players hate the tag and having a second one on Brown looks bad on this organization. Veach is not looking to pay him what he wants so KC is better off letting him test the market. I am confident they can find similar production at a much more affordable price. Brown wasn’t bad, but he is also nowhere near as good as he believes he is.

[htismaqe]

Everybody is just assuming this is the Chiefs moving on.

[Shields68]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Wanting more money for free agency is a pretty bizarre reasoning to just not tag him, though. If you need $ that bad there are plenty of other avenues to get some. A Jones extension and a Mahomes restructure gets you plenty to work with. Think Veach has realized there's just not a viable path forward to agreeing to a deal that both sides are satisfied with so he's ripping the band-aid off.

Big reason is they do not want to tie up 20 million on him for next year. Giving him a 20% raise seems to be the biggest reason. To tag him a 2nd time your paying him as the best LT in the game.

I would guess Veech has 2 or 3 guys that he believes will sign for 10-15 a season and will not be that much of a drop off if any. Who knows maybe Brown will look at things and realize that FA is not going to make him the highest paid LT in the game. If you take the tag off the table, year one in the contract negotiations no longer start at 20 million. May cause the movement in the negotiations.

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by 493rd

Chiefs had Brown for 2 seasons and gave up multiple draft picks to get him. LTs don’t just fall off trees for the taking in FA and finding a good one in the draft usually means you’re drafting in the upper-half. No reason to believe Veach doesn’t have a plan here, but it’s a big risk regardless to not franchise him again.

Gave up multiple draft picks is misleading. They got a player and picks back. If he walks right now i chalk that up as a solid deal still.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Everybody is just assuming this is the Chiefs moving on.

I honestly think they are. If I am wrong then I will own it. This is our second offseason with him and he’s still not signed. I just don’t believe that he will offer Brown what Brown wants and the signs make it seem like neither side will budge.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Everybody is just assuming this is the Chiefs moving on.

I'm only leaning that way because of what Taylor and Palmer have said about the chances a contract gets done.

Doesn't mean that it can't...but to them it's not looking good.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by Dunerdr

Gave up multiple draft picks is misleading. They got a player and picks back. If he walks right now i chalk that up as a solid deal still.

Yup. That trade was brilliant by Veach. He got at least two years out of Brown and got Bolton and Creed as nice add ons. Without that trade they don’t get Bolton and or Creed.

[O.city]

Usually once you let a guy hit the market....he ain't coming back.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by O.city

Usually once you let a guy hit the market....he ain't coming back.

That’s fine then. Would rather let another team overpay him than KC do it.