It won’t be déjà vu for the Chiefs and starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. for a second straight offseason.
The Chiefs are not applying the franchise tag on Brown ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the NFL Network reports.
The decision comes less than a week after Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine that using the tag remained “an option” on Brown, who played the 2022 regular season under a $16.6 million franchise tag.
Going that route for a second straight offseason on Brown would’ve cost the Chiefs a projected $19.9 million, according to Spotrac.
By not applying the franchise tag on Brown this year, the clock is effectively ticking on the Chiefs if the team hopes to keep its starting left tackle.
The Chiefs now have until next week to hammer out a long-term deal or risk losing Brown to unrestricted free agency when the NFL’s new calendar year begins on March 15. And Brown, whom NFL.com ranked as the fourth best free-agent prospect, should have his share of potential suitors if he hits the open market.
There is also another factor at play that could affect the Chiefs’ plans if there isn’t a deal worked out by the end of the upcoming weekend.
Starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 13, Brown’s agent is allowed to enter negotiations with other teams around the league for his client’s services — and the sides could agree to terms on a contract. Any agreed-upon deal with another team, however, will not take effect until 3 p.m. Central on March 15.
The Chiefs acquired Brown, who turns 27 on May 2, in 2021 via trade with the Baltimore Ravens. He has started 33 regular-season games for the Chiefs over the past two seasons, earning Pro Bowl honors in both campaigns.
Brown was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2019-20) while with the Ravens. He originally entered the league in 2018 out of Oklahoma as a third-round pick with the Ravens.
