Seattle Seahawks: Duane Brown shouldn’t get a new contract
Duane Brown is a quasi holdout at Seattle Seahawks training. The left tackle wants a new contract. Here’s why he doesn’t get one.
Seattle Seahawks left tackle Duane Brown is in a sort of contract holdout. He’s at the VMAC with his teammates but is not participating in practices. In the final year of his contract, Brown wants an extension before he takes the field.
I know it’s a controversial take, but no, Brown shouldn’t get a contract extension from the team. Sorry big man, it’s not personal; it’s business.
Over his 13-year NFL career, Duane Brown has been a very good left tackle. He’s made four Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2012 with Houston. Even at 36-years old (on August 30), Brown is the Seahawks’ best offensive lineman. Those aren’t my words, they are Russell Wilson‘s, and every 12 out there knows it.
That still doesn’t mean he gets more money or years from the Seattle Seahawks. There are several reasons.
Father Time
Let’s start with age. Understandably, Brown would like to pad his nest egg before retirement, But he turns 37 before the 2022 season begins. That’s old for a football player, especially one who plays a physically demanding position like left tackle.
The only guys who get big contracts or extensions at that age are quarterbacks, and even that’s a tiny group. Duane Brown isn’t Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, or Drew Brees.
Tallest Pygmy
Yes, Brown is the Seattle Seahawks’ best offensive lineman. Without him, Wilson would have been worse off than roadkill last year. But that says more about the quality of his linemates (or lack thereof) rather than Brown’s actual performance level. On a Super Bowl contending team, he might be the best player on the O-line. Certainly, the gap between him and the rest of the line wouldn’t be as large.
Paid more than his worth
In 2021, Brown will make $13.35M (with incentives). That makes him the fifth highest-paid left tackle and ninth highest-paid offensive lineman in the league. Additionally, he accounts for 7.26 percent of the Seattle Seahawks total payroll. Only five other O-linemen account for more.
It wouldn’t be a problem if Brown were the ninth-best lineman or number two tackle. He’s not bad; as previously mentioned, he’s far from it. But Brown doesn’t slot in at salary commensurate with his ranking and age.
Bargaining Power
Last and certainly not least is a concept Brown should be familiar with, leverage. He doesn’t have much, if any. Even with RW3’s complaints earlier this year, the OT doesn’t have a very strong negotiating position. In the year of a negative cap, few teams can afford him and only one or two are legitimate playoff teams. Besides, even a trade out of the Emerald City wouldn’t guarantee an extension. Then there is the age thing again.
So now Brown sits out, sort of. The truth is at his age and with his cranky knees, Brown wouldn’t be practicing much anyway, let alone play in the preseason. I agree with Russ when he says the Seattle Seahawks need their left tackle. Brown has a contract, a big one. He should get out there and show his team and the other 31 teams why he deserves an extension. If he leaves as a free agent at the end of the year, that’s a risk the Seattle Seahawks should be prepared for.
Once again, that’s business. So far their track record is pretty good in the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era. Besides, is a ticked off Duane Brown with a chip on his shoulder a bad thing?
Pete Carroll, is Duane Brown unhappy? “Duane and I are doing great.
“He’s making a statement (by not practicing). He’s making a statement about what he thinks needs to happen.”
Says Brown won’t play any preseason games, wasn’t going to anyway #Seahawks @thenewstribune
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 8, 2021
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