So, how much can we really expect Duane Brown to contribute to Seattle’s offense this season? A lot, apparently. After all, he’s one of the Seahawks’ most important players, and their most reliable offensive lineman (on the left side, of course).
If the Seahawks are counting on Duane Brown to play in the season opener, he better be ready. The lineman has been sitting out all of the preseason, and is listed last on the team’s list of 53-man roster players. “I’m ready,” Brown said when asked about his health in a phone interview. “I’m in a great place in my life,” Brown said from his home in Texas. “I’m healthy, I’m ready to go.” The 32-year-old Brown has been in rehab since undergoing shoulder surgery in March.
NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal reports Seattle Seahawks right tackle Duane Brown is “likely” to play in the team’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
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Brady Henderson is a professional football player. ESPN
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This was the upbeat atmosphere at Seattle Seahawks headquarters on Wednesday afternoon:
Coach Pete Carroll voiced the greatest confidence yet that Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown would play in the team’s Sept. 12 opener against the Indianapolis Colts, speaking with media after practice. Brown was doing wind sprints up the berm that surrounds one of the practice fields at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, about 50 yards from the podium.
When asked if there is any more clarity on whether Brown would play, Carroll replied, “I’m relying on him.” “I’m hoping he’ll be prepared.”
That remark, like so many others Carroll has made about Brown during his contract dispute, was noncommittal. It seemed to communicate the following: the Seahawks believe Brown will finish his hunger strike before the start of the season, and they clearly hope their greatest offensive lineman will be there to defend Russell Wilson’s blindside, but no one can guarantee it.
Since Brown arrived to camp but refused to practice in the lack of a new contract, the Seahawks have been dogged by doubt. His position is unique in comparison to the other contract issues the Seahawks have faced this summer.
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Unrestricted security Quandre Diggs put any concerns to rest this week when he said that he intends to participate in Week 1 and return to practice shortly after resolving a personal financial issue, allegedly the finalization of an insurance policy that would cover him throughout the final year of his contract.
And although strong safety Jamal Adams, like Brown, sat out the first three weeks of camp before signing his $70 million contract, it was always anticipated that the agreement would be completed before the season opening. The Seahawks intended to pay Adams this year and were negotiating a contract extension.
They don’t, and they aren’t, with Brown.
In 14 seasons, he has made four Pro Bowl appearances. Last year, he was second among tackles in ESPN’s Pass Block Win Rate, and he didn’t miss a game. He’s also the undisputed captain of Seattle’s offensive line.
He also turned 36 this week, has had knee problems in previous seasons, and has had his practice workload carefully monitored. That’s why the Seahawks feel he’s at the point in his career when a year-to-year deal is the best option.
According to Spotrac, the $11.5 million average of his three-year, $34.5 million contract inked in the summer of 2018 puts him 16th among left tackles. For 2021, he’ll earn $10 million in base pay, which is the fourth most at the position.
Brown would lose game checks totaling more than $550,000 for each game he declined to participate during the regular season. That may be enough to persuade him to stop his sit-in before the start.
Despite his current holdout, the Seahawks are optimistic that Duane Brown will start at left tackle against the Colts in the season opener. Icon Sportswire/John Jones
But who can say for certain? Brown’s strike with the Houston Texans in 2017 lasted six games into the regular season, albeit under different circumstances than his current standoff with the Seahawks.
The Seahawks’ refusal to offer him a contract extension this year has fueled rumors that they may be able to settle the situation by modifying his existing contract. In the summer of 2014, Marshawn Lynch’s one-week holdout came to a conclusion. The club didn’t offer him a new contract or add to the one he already had, but they did guarantee him $1.5 million in 2014, which was previously linked to per-game roster bonuses, incentives, or 2015 pay.
Brown’s transition would be more difficult since he’s only contracted through the end of this season, so there’s no money to move up from 2022 to 2021. His contract contains $1 million in per-game bonuses and $500,000 in incentives, both of which may be guaranteed in theory.
On the other hand, they’re probably cautious of setting — or re-setting — a precedent by sweetening a contract to appease a disgruntled player.
In addition to Brown, the Seahawks have Jamarco Jones and rookie sixth-round selection Stone Forsythe as backup left tackles on their 53-man roster. Cedric Ogbuehi, a third, will be eligible to return off injured reserve in Week 4. Brown’s drop-off from any of those three would be significant, as it would be for any team forced to play without their Pro Bowl left tackle. During Brown’s absence this summer, all three spent time there.
Brown has participated in other preparations while missing practice and preseason games.
Carroll said Wednesday, “He’s been on everything.” “He’s been working out, he’s been in all of the walk-through things, he’s taken all those repetitions, he’s done all of the meetings, he’s done everything, he’s been an active part of everything.”
Why Why did Dean Pees decide to join the Falcons? • The Jets go with a youthful team (12 rookies!) • Will Duane Brown play in the opener? • The Chargers are hoping that Vizcaino will be the solution.
Wilson’s worry over Brown missing games, though, has been palpable. Brown’s dissatisfaction with pass protection was one of the main reasons for his frustration to emerge earlier this summer, adding to the gravity of his position.
Brown has always been an athletic wonder, even by NFL left tackle standards and into his mid-thirties.
“He’s arguably our team’s most physically fit person,” Wilson added. “… In this, the man is doing like 20 pull-ups, which is insane for someone his stature. He’ll occasionally complete three sets of them while wearing a weighted vest.”
His argument was that Brown might terminate his sit-in at the last minute and play in the opening despite having little to no practice time to prepare.
That is, if he is willing to do so.
“I believe it will work out,” Wilson remarked. “That’s exactly what I’m hoping for and anticipating.”
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