The Bengals were able to avenge the loss and beat Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency after spending two seasons with the Chiefs.
“I loved it,” wide receiver Tyler Boyd said of the signing, via FOX 19’s Joe Danneman. “You know, we have a good rivalry with the Chiefs and to see him come over, you know, it’s like, yeah, we added you guys. But at the end of the day, he’s a great player. “
Boyd’s quote aligns with Kelce’s comments earlier this season that it hurt his “soul” to see Brown join their AFC rivals.
The Chiefs tried to re-sign Brown but did not meet the left tackle’s contract wishes. In the end, KC was all about signing Jawaan Taylor to a big money contract and recently added veteran LT Donovan Smith.
The Bengals fired Brown from Kansas City to help in what has become an annual task of upgrading the offensive line. The plan is to keep Brown at left tackle, but move former draft pick Jonah Williams to the right.
“He’s probably one of the best at his position,” Boyd said of Brown. “Just adding him to what we already got, you know, it’s going to allow Joe to have more time, and it’s going to give us the will to put up those points. I’m just happy to have him.”
Brown has been a solid, if not spectacular, left tackle, earning four straight Pro Bowl nods. It’s definitely an upgrade for the Bengals that should provide better protection for Joe Burrow, especially in these crucible times against their AFC rivals.