Brett Veach: Chiefs are turning attention to Orlando Brown extension talks

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to the media on Tuesday following the frenzy of the 2022 NFL Draft, and while a major portion of his workload is now behind him, there are still some key pieces of the puzzle to figure out in the months to come. One of those items of business that he stated the Chiefs will start working on is a long-term contract extension for left tackle Orlando Brown, Jr.

Specifically, Veach stated that “talks will pick up” over the next few weeks. That will provide security for a player who has earned it with three Pro Bowl appearances in his four seasons of play, but it should also free up some finances in the present to go after further roster upgrades.

The Chiefs first traded for Brown over a year ago knowing a long-term extension was going to be required shortly after dealing for him from the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, a contract extension—and specifically how he might be paid—was part of the reason he wanted out of Baltimore. As a right tackle primarily with the Ravens, he wanted to switch sides to play his preferred position and to be paid like one. However, the Ravens had already figured out such a deal with Ronnie Stanley.

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Orlando Brown Jr. will turn his attention to contract talks with Orlando Brown Jr. in the coming weeks.

For the Chiefs, it made sense to deal with Brown knowing about his contract because the team was moving on from Eric Fisher after eight seasons and needed someone to lock down the blindside protector role for Patrick Mahomes. Brown showed plenty of improvement as the season went on for the Chiefs in a new scheme, and the Chiefs applied a franchise tag after the year to make sure they controlled Brown’s potential movements.

At this time, Brown will count $16.6 million against the cap until they sign him to a long-term deal, but Brown has yet to sign his tag. He’s also reportedly been without an agent to this point, although head coach Andy Reid did say Brown was hiring one soon.

There are still some ducks to line up before this matter can be resolved, then, on both sides, but Brown is a young yet proven performer who has been as reliable as anyone since coming into the league. The Chiefs should have no problems committing to Brown for the long haul and thus lock up their line for years to come, given that every other starter is under team control through at least the 2024 season.