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The New York Jets and offensive tackle Duane Brown agreed to the terms of a two-year deal on Thursday, a person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
The move comes three days after the Jets learned they were likely to lose Mekhi Becton for the season due to a knee injury sustained during practice.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced the signature. ESPN first reported an agreement between the Jets and Brown. NFL Network reports that the deal is worth him $22 million.
Brown, who turns 37 on Aug. 30, visited the Jets for a scrimmage at MetLife Stadium last Saturday night. Coach Robert Saleh admitted there was a “mutual interest” and Becton’s injury made a deal even more likely.
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Becton suffered a chip fracture in his patella during the second play of Monday’s 11-11 team drill. The initial prognosis was optimistic, but later his MRI revealed more knee damage than originally expected.
After Becton injured the same knee in last season’s opener, George Fant played well, sliding from right tackle to the left flank. Fant maintained his starting position with a left tackle going into camp, while Becton moved to the right flank for the first time.
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Saleh praised Fant’s play in Becton’s absence, saying the versatile veteran was “much more comfortable” playing left tackle. However, the addition of Fant’s former teammate Brown in Seattle means Fant may move to the right side again.
Brown, who made his fifth Pro Bowl appearance last season, has played left tackle for his entire NFL career.
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The Jets moved Edga Chuma and rookie Max Mitchell on right tackles in Becton’s absence. Conor McDermott was also thought to be included in the mix, but he will miss at least another week with his ankle injury.
Brown was a first-round pick by Houston in 2008 from Virginia Tech. He was named an All-Pro in 2012, and from 2012 to 2014 he was named to the Pro Bowl three times in a row, but in 2017 he was traded to Seattle during the season.