Orlando Brown Jr. ‘Excited’ to Face KC Chiefs, Praises Chris Jones

Kansas City's former starting left tackle is ready to play against his old teammates in a critical Week 17 matchup for both sides.

The Kansas City Chiefs' rivalry with the Cincinnati Bengals is set to renew in a New Year's Eve matchup on Sunday. Not only is this an opportunity for both sides to help their chances of getting to the playoffs, but it's also the first time Kansas City will play against Orlando Brown Jr. since he left the team.

Brown, who was acquired during an offseason trade leading up to the 2021 campaign, spent two seasons with the Chiefs and made a pair of Pro Bowls with them. His level of play didn't always reflect that status, however, as he was closer to an average producer than a great or elite one. Consequently, contract negotiations between both camps never quite aligned and the former third-round pick was allowed to sign elsewhere in free agency. Cincinnati ended up being the spot, with Brown inking a four-year deal worth up to $64 million. 

When an athlete faces his or her former team, there's usually a revenge storyline that comes along with it. That isn't the case for Brown, however, as he says there are no hard feelings against the Chiefs. In fact, he's excited to play against them with an opportunity to boost his own team's playoff odds hanging in the balance. 

"Well, you know man, it's hard to say," Brown said this week. "But for me personally, just what's at stake in terms of playoff contention and how important this game is for us as a team, that's really what's at the front of my mind. Obviously, that was an organization that gave me an opportunity to be a left tackle in this league and help put me in a position to be here, so there's no animosity. But I'm super excited, man, just for everything that's at stake for us as a team."

Even without star quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals find themselves in the hunt late in the season. That's despite some offensive line struggles, too. Entering play this week, Cincinnati's group ranked 28th in ESPN's pass block win rate and was 23rd in Pro Football Focus' pass block grade as a team. Brown, while far from the lowest-graded individual player, has surrendered more pressures (56) than any other offensive lineman in football.

The Bengals face a tall task in Week 17: finding a way to slow down Chris Jones. While Jones isn't the unquestioned All-Pro caliber player he was in 2022, he remains one of the better interior defensive linemen in all of football. Additionally, his ability to stray from his traditional three-technique spot and rush from the outside is something else to account for. Brown is familiar with Jones's greatness, and he has high praise for his former teammate. 

"I also practiced against him every day, so I've seen him wreck practices too," Brown said. "Special player, man. He'll be a Hall of Famer one day. He's amazing at what he does and does a great job doing his job at a high level consistently. He's a guy that we'll have to basically have all five sets of eyes on at one time." 

A lot has changed since the Chiefs last played a game with Brown on the roster. They're still the reigning champions, sure, but they've raised that banner and moved on. Now 9-6 in the ensuing campaign, they have a chance to lock up another AFC West title if they take care of business on Sunday. Brown, like he was as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, is the enemy this time around. He knows it and Kansas City knows it. That isn't going to stop him from letting it all soak in and enjoying the moment and opportunity. 

"You know, man, I've been a visitor in the stadium before," Brown said. "I haven't been back since the banner's been up; obviously, I kind of want to see that. But other than that, I'm just excited to get out there with these guys. We've had a long year, Jake (Browning) is doing his job and there's a lot at stake. I'm really just excited to get out there and have this opportunity to put us in the playoffs hopefully." 

Trent McDuffie Emerging as ‘Quiet Leader’ for Chiefs' Defense