Trent Brown: Rather Unfortunate 2020 Season

In the week prior to November 5th, Trent Brown was diagnosed with COVID-19, admitted to the hospital due to a faulty IV leaving air in his bloodstream, discharged from the hospital, and placed back on the COVID list, making him, once again, inactive for this week’s game. 

Big Money

After signing his new contract in 2019, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, Brown entered the season firing on all cylinders, playing every possible snap in 2019’s Week One. Following the game, Brown would only play 100 percent of the game’s snaps in five more games that season, all while fighting through lower-body injuries. 

Job Hazard

Lower body injuries are a lineman’s worst enemy, as a majority of their power comes through the legs. Brown fighting through this injury meant he certainly was not 100 percent, but was still playing. At some point, one must debate resting a week in order to get back to full health if recovery tactics are unsuccessful. 

Weird Fans

Brown’s absences from games he originally started left fans a tad befuddled. An incredible athlete like Brown should not ever be off the field while the rest of the starting offense remains. Yet here he was, sometimes playing less than 80 percent of potential snaps, all while being paid handsomely. Meanwhile, these fans forget Brown played the Chiefs while less than 100 percent.

Stats

The handsome contract that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman totaled $66 million over four years, with over $36 million guaranteed at signing. The contract is what made things interesting. When anyone makes an exorbitant amount of money, what they do after truly tells the story. Brown played six full games out of 16 in 2019. He would end his season after Week 12 due to injury.

Realism

When healthy, Brown is truly an unstoppable force. Rushing numbers climb and sack numbers plummet with him on the field, and the Raiders know this. In the two games, Brown has appeared in this year (Carolina, 3 snaps & Kansas City, 70 (all) snaps), the Raiders are 2-0 and the offense is far more efficient. 

Truth

A few things, however, are for certain. For starters, Brown did not contract COVID on purpose, as no sane individual would ever try to get it, especially just to sit out a few games. Secondly, he did not intentionally land himself in the hospital with an incredibly scary IV accident. Also, Brown definitely did not ask to be placed back on the COVID list. Lastly, Trent Brown is an incredible offensive lineman. The Raiders need to hold the fort until he returns.