Bengals 2023 free-agency tracker: Bengals beef up Joe Burrow’s protection with Orlando Brown Jr.
NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2023 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year has begun, which means free-agent signings can be made official. The first round of the 2023 NFL draft begins April 27 on ESPN.
The Cincinnati Bengals first moves were to bring back linebacker Germaine Pratt and safety Michael Thomas. Then, on Wednesday, they made a big splash, signing former Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. They added safety Nick Scott on Friday night.
The four-time Pro Bowl left tackle is signing a four-year, $64-million deal, agent Michael Portner has confirmed to ESPN. According to Portner, the deal pays $42.3 million over the first two years and includes a signing bonus of over $31 million.
What it means: The Bengals made a massive investment in Joe Burrow’s pass protection. Brown’s $31 million signing bonus is believed to be the highest given to an offensive lineman, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That number exceeds the combined guaranteed money received by offensive linemen Ted Karras, Alex Cappa and La’el Collins when they signed with the Bengals in 2022. If the Bengals are going to invest in Burrow and the passing game, it requires fixing a pass protection unit that ranked 30th in pass block win rate last season.
What’s the risk: There is a significant amount of risk with a contract structured like Brown’s. According to Fowler, roughly 68% of Brown’s contract will be guaranteed, with around $42 million of that coming in the first two years. Cincinnati has struggled to find long-term solutions at offensive tackle. In the past, that didn’t have a financial impact because the deals were not nearly as lucrative as this one. But given Brown’s track record, something drastic must happen in order to remove the former Oklahoma standout as one of the game’s best offensive tackles.
Nick Scott, safety
The former Rams safety reached an agreement on a three-year, $12 million deal with the Bengals, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
What it means: The Bengals needed a veteran safety after losing Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell during free agency. Scott fills that void and has the potential to step in and be a Day 1 starter. The contract that features $12 million in total money signals that he can be matched alongside Dax Hill at the back of the secondary.
What’s the risk: At this point, there is little risk. The Bengals needed someone with experience to put alongisde Hill, who is poised to take over for Bates as the free safety. It’s a low-cost option for a team that needs to account for significant dollars to be invested in the offense.
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