The Kansas City Chiefs assigned their 2022 franchise tag to offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. to prevent him from testing free agency.
Having him under a one-year, fully-guaranteed deal also buys them time to negotiate a long-term contract with him.
The Chiefs are aware of his value to the team as Patrick Mahomes‘ primary protector.
Unfortunately, the two camps could not agree to the monetary terms of the new contract, as shared by FanSided’s Matt Verderame.
Per league conversations, I'm told stalemate with Orlando Brown and Chiefs centers on Brown seeking to reset market at upwards of $25M/year. Chiefs unwilling to go there despite their strong feeling for him.
Also, KC has flexibility to use tag in '23 with future cap situation.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) July 13, 2022
Verderame tweeted, “Per league conversations, I’m told stalemate with Orlando Brown and Chiefs centers on Brown seeking to reset market at upwards of $25M/year. Chiefs unwilling to go there despite their strong feeling for him. Also, KC has the flexibility to use the tag in ’23 with future cap situations.”
If Brown gets the annual average value he wants, he will become the highest-paid player in his position, beating Trent Williams‘ $23.1 million average.
However, is this a case of the Chiefs saving whatever cap room they can to accommodate Mahomes’ enormous cap hit starting in 2023?
Brown did play well last season as the protector of Mahomes’ blind side.
However, the Chiefs are unwilling to pay that amount and the negotiations drag along.
Brown Has The Leverage
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, they are staring at the potential departure of another key player.
They did not grant Tyreek Hill‘s request of becoming the highest-paid wide receiver in the league and traded him to the Miami Dolphins.
This situation could be the same and Brown will decide to leave if he can that type of money elsewhere.
He has done enough to become a top prospect in the 2023 free agency.
Therefore, the Chiefs should get this deal done unless they have a better option at left tackle.
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