© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Less than a year after the 49ers deemed him expendable, Trent Brown is expected to sign the richest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Brown is expected to sign a four-year, $66-million contract with $36.75 million guaranteed with the Oakland Raiders.
The news hit about 10 minutes into the “legal tampering” free agency period that allows teams to officially negotiate with unrestricted free agents. The deals can not officially go through until Wednesday at 1 p.m.
Brown has experienced quite the year. Last April, the 49ers used the No. 9 overall pick on his successor, Mike McGlinchey. The following morning, they traded Brown, entering the final year of his contract, and a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for a third-round pick, which San Francisco ultimately used on defensive back Tarvarius Moore. As New England’s starting right guard, Brown went on to have a terrific year that ended in a Super Bowl LIII victory.
Brown is reportedly headed back to the Bay Area, where he joins a team that has spent big money throughout the past three days. Over the weekend, the Raiders signed seven-time Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown to a three-year, $50.125 million contract, with $30 million guaranteed.