The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders made quite a splash in the last 48 hours, landing a pair of Browns via trade and free agency. Raiders GM Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden were able to trade for All-Pro Antonio Brown, with whom they reached a contract extension with, Saturday night before reaching a four-year, $66 million contract deal with former Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown.
Antonio Brown’s new contract will pay out $50.125 million over the next three seasons, with $30.125 million in guaranteed cash, making him the highest paid receiver in the NFL. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added the deal could increase to $54.125 million with incentives. With $36.75 million in guaranteed money, the contract also makes Trent Brown the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history.
Needless the say, the Raiders mean business as they head into their second season under Gruden, just one season away from making their official move to Las Vegas. Sin City fans should be excited, as the Raiders appear to be a contender in 2019, which will more than likely be in O*kland, and 2020, in the inaugural Las Vegas Raiders season. After winning just four games in 2018, management seems ready to show the Raider Nation it is serious about winning in the final season in O*kland.
Brown No. 1: Antonio
After a difficult time in Pittsburgh in 2018, Antonio Brown wanted out. In what appears to be a battle of egos between Antonion Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio lost out and has been sent to the west coastm where he’ll join Raiders quarterback Derek Car. The Raiders pulled a move similar to what the Bears did last fall in landing All-Pro Khalil Mack from the Gruden and Co. They sent a third- and fifth-round pick to the Steelers for Brown before reworking the wideout’s contract to give him the $30.1 million in guaranteed cash.
One could argue the Raiders got an even better deal than the Bears did, as it didn’t cost them any of their three first round picks in 2019, or their extra first-rounder in 2020.
“He (Antonio Brown) can run every route you dream up,” Gruden told the media. “I say that about other receivers but he can run double moves, he can run by you, he can run crossing routes, he’s very good after the catch. What’s the greatest thing about this man? I’ve told all of our receivers, if you get a chance to watch him practice, you’ll see what unlocks the greatness in him.
“He’s the hardest working man, I think, in football. Hardest working player I’ve ever seen practice. I’ve seen Jerry Rice, I’ve seen a lot of good ones, but I put Antonio Brown at the top. If there are any young wideouts out there, I’d go watch him practice. You figure out yourself why he’s such a good player.”
Antonio Brown has 837 career catches for 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns and has won four team MVP awards while being selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He was also a four-time All-Pro during his first nine NFL seasons, dominating year in and year out while giving defenses fits. Should be interesting to see him pair with Carr, who will be entering his second season in Gruden’s offense.
Brown No. 2: Trent
Trent Brown turns just 26 in April and spent the 2018 season with the New England Patriots. He started all 16 games at left tackle for the Super Bowl champs. He also graded out as the best postseason offensive tackle in the NFL en route to the Super Bowl championship. The former seventh round pick by San Fran was also mainstay on the exterior offensive line for the 49ers, who traded him to New England for the 95th selection in the 2018 draft.
