Evan

Brown

Browns was released by the Cardinals on Thursday and quickly finds a new home in Houston, where he could push for a starting role on the interior offensive line. The seven-year veteran bounced around the league his first two seasons before starting 68 games between 2021 and 2025. The low contract valuation appears to be a steal for the Texans.

Brown signed a one-year deal in Arizona in 2024 and re-upped with the team for two years last offseason. With a new regime taking over, the team chose to cut him with a year left on his $11.5 million deal. Brown is a replacement-level player, but he has 68 career starts and experience at all three interior offensive line positions. He should have no issues finding work in 2026.

Melton will miss Week 5 with a hamstring injury, though Will Johnson (groin) will return to the secondary. Darius Robinson (pectoral) and Evan Brown (hamstring) are also out due to injury. DT Bilal Nichols (neck) and OL Will Hernandez (ACL) are both active for the first time this season.

Johnson did not practice all week after already missing Week 3. He is listed as doubtful to play Thursday against the Seahawks. Meanwhile, fellow CB Darren Hall (ankle) is listed as questionable. Also questionable are LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (elbow) and OL Kelvin Beachum (knee), Evan Brown (heel), Paris Johnson Jr. (knee), and Will Hernandez (knee). Missing Johnson and Brown especially would deplete the left side of the Cardinals’ offensive line.

Playing on a one-year deal after coming over from division-rival Seattle in free agency, Brown had a decent enough 2024 for the Cardinals to bring him back two more seasons. The modest money suggests he’s not necessarily a locked-in 34-game starter He will undoubtedly be out there to begin next season. Brown had a 73.5 PFF pass block grade in 2024, but was weaker in the run game.

Brown will make the move to the Seahawks’ divisional rivals on a deal worth up to $2.9 million. He made 16 starts in Seattle last season and now fills a void on the Cardinals’ offensive line.

Brown has played both center and guard over the past few seasons for Detroit. Seattle’s center depth chart is a mess after Austin Blythe’s retirement, so that probably makes the most sense as a spot for Brown at the moment. This contract is likely not so big that it will prevent the Seahawks from adding more competition at the position via free agency or the draft.

Brown had been an impending restricted free agent. He is presumably signing for less than the “low” amount of $2.433 million, though he is now locking in some guaranteed money. A 12-game starter on the pivot in 2021, Brown was decent but the Lions will have Frank Ragnow returning from a severe case of turf toe this season. At worst, Brown will be depth with experience in the system for the Lions in 2022.

Brown appeared in four games for the Dolphins and Giants in 2019. The former undrafted free agent will likely be battling for a roster spot in Cleveland.