The Houston Texans have released veteran offensive tackle Trent Brown ahead of the NFL’s 53-man roster deadline. Brown, 31, is a former seventh-round pick who began his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 and went on to play for the Patriots, Raiders and Bengals during a lengthy, well-traveled NFL arc. The Texans had signed Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million in March as part of their roster-building efforts.
Brown’s career path includes a 2018 trade to the Patriots, the record four-year, $66 million deal with the Raiders in 2019, and a trade back to the Patriots in March 2021, where he spent time on injured reserve before returning in the second half of that season. The Patriots re-signed him to a two-year, $13 million contract in 2022. Cincinnati later signed him to a one-year deal last offseason. In 2024, Brown appeared in three games for the Bengals, starting all three at right tackle.
The move by Houston creates an opening on the offensive line as the team continues to evaluate depth ahead of the opening of the regular season. Brown’s extensive experience at right tackle would naturally attract interest from clubs seeking veteran depth after this move.
Possible next steps for Brown include continued opportunities with other teams in need of experienced tackle depth. His résumé—long starts and multiple team stops—offers him a chance to contribute as a swing tackle or as a situational starter for a team navigating injuries or roster turnover.
Overall, this is a routine roster-management move in the lead-up to the 53-man cutdown, reflecting the constantly shifting landscape of the NFL offensive line and the ongoing search for reliable protection for quarterbacks.
Summary: The Texans released Trent Brown as part of their final roster decisions, ending his latest stint after a one-year deal, while Brown’s career history suggests he could still be valuable to teams seeking veteran depth at tackle. The move may benefit Brown with potential new opportunities, and it keeps the Texans focused on optimizing their line depth for the season ahead.