Coming off a 4-12 season in his first year back as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, there was a lot of pressure of Jon Gruden this offseason to make some big splashes to get the team back into postseason contention.
Gruden and new general manager Mike Mayock have been able to deliver so far as in addition to having three first round picks in the upcoming draft, they have reportedly reached a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown for a 2019 third and fifth round pick.
The Raiders and Antonio have also reportedly agreed to a new three-year contract to keep him with the organization long-term.
That is not the only move that the Raiders have made to help out quarterback Derek Carr though. They have also brought in a left tackle to protect his blindside, agreeing to a record-breaking contract with former New England Patriots offensive lineman Trent Brown, per Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Former Patriots’ OT Trent Brown intends to sign a four-year, $66 million contract that includes $36.75 million guaranteed with the Oakland Raiders, per source, making him highest paid OL in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2019
Brown was a seventh-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 out of Florida, but he really emerged as one of the best left tackles in football this past season while winning a Super Bowl with the Patriots.
With Brown now solidifying the left side, last year’s first-round pick, Kolton Miller, will likely move over to right tackle.
Free agent technically doesn’t begin until Wednesday, so the Raiders will likely announce the deal then.
