The New York Jets had a gaping hole in their offensive line after losing Mekhi Becton to injury this week, and it looks like they may have just filled that hole.
CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson reported that the Jets have accepted the conditions with Duane Brown on a two-year contract. According on ESPN.comBrown’s contract with the team is worth a total of $22 million.
Brown is a five-time Pro Bowler who was easily the best offensive lineman left on the market. The Jets had actually shown some interest in Brown prior to Becton’s injury with the 36-year-old’s visit to the team on August 6. Two days after this visit, Becton fell with a devastating knee injury during training this will likely end up sidelining him for most of the season, if not the entire season. With Becton out, getting Brown under contract became an immediate priority for the Jets.
With Brown on his way to New York, the next step for the Jets is to figure out the big question of where he will play. Becton was slotted in at right tackle, but Brown probably won’t want to play there since he’s spent his entire 15-year career at left tackle.
Former Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari spent three seasons coaching Brown in Seattle and he doesn’t think moving the big guy to the right side would make sense.
“Could he do it? Yes, he has the essential qualities,” Solari told the New York Post this week. “But I think with what he’s giving on the left side, I wouldn’t move him from where he’s comfortable at this stage of his career. The adjustment I would make is to move George [Fant] back right because he played both.”
If the Jets move Brown to left tackle, that would mean moving Fant to right tackle, which Fant might disagree with. That being said, Fant and Brown spent time together as teammates in Seattle and during that time Brown was the left tackle with Fant playing on the right side. Given that the two guys know each other, this will likely make Fant friendlier to being moved around.
As for Brown, he will be 37 on August 30 and although he is of age, Solari believes the tackle still has a lot to do.
“He definitely has something in the tank,” Solari said. “Great knee pad, and what makes him elite is his athleticism and change of direction. Very competitive, smart, leader on and off the field. He would be an asset to the Jets in the sense of his game, his behavior and work ethic.”
Brown has been in the NFL since 2008, when the Texans made him the 26th overall draft pick. For the next 15 years, he played almost exclusively at left tackle.
No matter where Brown plays, he was a much-needed addition who should be an instant upgrade to the Jets offensive line. The only problem with signing Brown is that there’s still a chance he could be punished by the NFL for an arrest last month. In July, Brown was charged with carrying a concealed weapon after being arrested at Los Angeles International Airport.