Chiefs ready to move on from Orlando Brown if need be
Left tackle Orlando Brown wants to be the highest-paid left tackle in the NFL. Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid thinks the Chiefs can survive without him.
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Orlando Brown has been absent from the Kansas City Chiefs facility due to a contract dispute. With training camp starting up for the veteran players on July 26 head coach Andy Reid decided to address a possible absence.
When the Kansas City Chiefs fully assemble on July 26, the team is hoping that the anchor to their defense, left tackle Orlando Brown, is present.
Brown is currently seeking a contract that would make him the highest-paid left tackle but the Chiefs’ front office is not overly interested.
Head coach Andy Reid was asked if he thinks Brown will be showing up to be with his team next. Coach Reid had this to say:
"“I don’t know that. I don’t know whether he’s going to be here or not,” Reid said. “If he’s here, great. And if he’s not, we move on. That’s how we’ve done it in the past. This isn’t the first time I’ve been through something like this. My thing is, we just go. Whoever the next guy is that’s gonna step in there — we know Joe Thuney can do it in a heartbeat — so, if we need to go in that direction, we can go in that direction. We’ve got some new faces in there that can also do it.”"
When Brown reads the articles transcribing Reid’s comments he should be nervous. If Reid says he is willing to move left guard Joe Thuney over to the left tackle position he likely means it, which could mean Brown’s exodus from Kansas City.
This team represents one of Brown’s best chances to reach the postseason and starting over with another franchise after leaving Baltimore is not ideal for Brown currently.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes frequently agrees with Reid when it comes to questions from the media however Mahomes seems more optimistic and hopeful that Brown returns to protecting his blindside.
"“Obviously, we wanted to get the deal done, I’m sure he wanted to get the deal done and everything like that. But at the end of the day, we’re going to go out there and play football. And I’m excited for him to be here and be a part of the team again.”"
Mahomes is playing the part he should as the leader of the Chiefs. It would greatly diminish any chance of Brown returning to play on the franchise tag if Mahomes publicly denounced a possible holdout from the tackle.
Mahomes even referred to Brown as “he’s one of the best guys on this team, if not the best one.” Reid on the other hand is in a tough position where he wants what is in the best interest of the team, which is for Brown to return, but he also works hand in hand with the front office and general manager Brett Veach.
If a new deal isn’t going to be struck at the price Brown wants then that is his prerogative but the Kansas City Chiefs have made it clear that they have contingencies in place if Brown decides to try and take his talents elsewhere.