The Kansas City Chiefs saw franchise-tagged left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. rejoin the team at training camp practice on Tuesday.
Throughout the team’s offseason program, Brown remained away from the team in hopes of signing a long-term contract extension. The two sides were unable to come to an agreement, leaving Brown to play the 2022 NFL season on the franchise tag. Despite the lack of a deal, Brown still maintains there is no love lost between him and the Chiefs. He still fully intends to make Kansas City his long-term home.
“Not at all,” Brown said. “I want to be here. I want to finish my career here in Kansas City. I’m sure there are questions out there. But to me, man, with the contract situation, it just wasn’t enough guarantees and I want to be here for the rest of my career in Kansas City. That’s real important to me.”
Asked to elaborate, Brown explained that it wasn’t about the dollar amount on the Chiefs’ offer. Instead, it was the contract structure behind the numbers.
“Not at all, man,” Brown said. “It’s not about the money. I want to be here for the rest of my career.”
The Chiefs’ offer essentially guaranteed the first two years of Brown’s contract and nothing more. He wanted more commitment from the team, something that ensured he’d continue playing in Kansas City potentially for the remainder of his career. The deal as presented would allow the Chiefs to move on as early as 2025.
As the deadline for a deal between the two sides approached and it became apparent a deal wasn’t going to get done, Brown says he was quite emotional.
“I don’t want to get too detailed on that but very emotional,” Brown said. “I’ve spoken to pretty much a lot of people here in the front office and (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and everyone understands. I love ball, I love blocking for Pat Mahomes, I love putting the Chiefs logo on my helmet and I really enjoy being here. I know that time will tell, and things will get taken care of with time.”
The lack of a deal this offseason is now in the past for Brown. He knows that extension talks will pick up again after the season, and should he do his part, a long-term extension in Kansas City might still occur.
“Me and (Brett) Veach have talked,” Brown said. “Me and Coach Reid have spoken. I understand that business is business. At the end of the day, that part is behind us. For now, we’re moving forward. Like I said, man, I’m here to win a Super Bowl.”
