"Blessed."
That's how Trent Brown felt when reporters in Alameda asked him how he was doing.
Brown has good reason to feel blessed. His record-setting four-year, $66 million contract with the Oakland Raiders became official Wednesday.
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The deal came together nine minutes after the early free agency negotiating period opened Monday. Brown explained how it all went down.
"[Agent] Drew [Rosenhaus] just called me and was like, ‘Bro, we got an irrefusable offer, and it’s going to make you the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. You have a great opportunity to go and play with a great coach, a great coaching staff, great organization with a lot of history. Then, in a year, you’ll be a part of the first team to ever play in Vegas.’ I couldn’t turn that offer down,” Brown told reporters.
In 2015, Brown was the No. 244 overall pick in the NFL draft. Now, he just signed a contract that reportedly will pay him $36.75 million in guaranteed money.
"I shed a few tears," Brown said. "Not in front of my family and Drew, but definitely that night behind closed doors, I shed a few tears. Just being a seventh-rounder and being able to say or anybody being able to say that I was the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history is a true testament to just staying the course."
NFL
Brown started at left tackle in Super Bowl LIII and helped the Patriots defeat the Rams. But he has experience at right tackle. Does he have a preference?
"Whatever is going to help the team," Brown said.
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The Raiders allowed 52 sacks in 2018. The goal in 2019 is to keep quarterback Derek Carr upright. That's why Brown was brought in this week.
"The league is full of great pass rushers, but this division in particular is full of pass rushers," Brown said. "The league’s top pass rushers, a couple of them are in this division. That’s why I got signed."