The Cincinnati Bengals have made several additions in free agency, and the AFC North franchise have also bolstered their offensive line as Orlando Brown Jr. negotiated the deal without an agent
12:01 ET, 13 Mar 2026Updated 12:01 ET, 13 Mar 2026
Orlando Brown Jr. signed with the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2023 NFL season
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Orlando Brown Jr. signed with the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the 2023 NFL season(Image: Getty Images)
Orlando Brown Jr. represented himself in negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals before netting himself a two-year extension.
After Trey Hendrickson departed and signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, the Bengals are looking to tie down key pieces. Brown’s deal was set to expire after the 2026 season, having signed with the franchise on a four-year, $64 million contract in 2023.
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The tackle has since started 45 games for the team, including all 17 in 2023 and 2025. As a result, Brown took it upon himself to work on a new contract with the Bengals as his current deal was set to expire after the 2026 season. Meanwhile, another NFL team received a $889,000 personal refund from a star who refused to play a game for them.
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Brown approached the team's front office to see if the two sides could work out a deal. He was able to ink a two-year, $32 million extension, sealing his future in Cincinnati. Brown reportedly will earn $23 million in the first 12 months of the extension.
“It's as easy as walking up to [team president] Mike Brown and saying 'Hey, can we get this done?’” Brown said. He acknowledged that his strong relationship with the team was what encouraged him to negotiate directly with the Bengals rather than through an agent or other intermediary.
The first conversation about a potential extension occurred in February, according to Brown. He primarily dealt with assistant general manager Steve Radicevic, who was promoted in 2025 after being the director of pro scouting since 2018.
“You know, to be honest, I think just kind of where we are in today's age of the NFL and also who I play for, I think representing myself made a lot of sense in this situation,” Brown added. “Is this something I would do anywhere else? I don't know, to be honest with you.”
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Orlando Brown Jr. will stay in Cincinnati through the 2028 season
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Orlando Brown Jr. will stay in Cincinnati through the 2028 season(Image: Getty Images)
Selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Brown has appeared in 126 games with 120 starts for the Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Bengals in his eight seasons. He’s been a Pro Bowler four times and won Super Bowl LVII with the Chiefs.
“The deal creates a sense of stability for myself and the organization,” Brown said. “I didn’t necessarily feel the need to reset the market. We have great players in this locker room. It’s rare for a player to say, but making it team-friendly... The way that I see it, it puts me and my family and the organization in a good spot.”
Brown’s extension is the latest move the Bengals have made since the free agent negotiating period started on Monday. Cincinnati also agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe and former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook.
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Mafe signed a three-year deal worth $60 million as Cincinnati tries to improve its pass rush following the departures of Hendrickson and fellow edge rusher Joseph Ossai. Meanwhile, Cook also signed a three-year contract worth around $40 million.
Following Hendrickson’s switch to an AFC North rival, Brown will now line up against him twice a season. He spoke favorably of the 31-year-old, saying: “I'm happy for him. He earned that contract. And we get to see him twice a year.”