Insider: Trent Brown ‘Quit’ on Patriots

A new report has shed light on the absence of New England Patriots left tackle Trent Brown during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Did a key starter and veteran player quit on the New England Patriots just ahead of their Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills?  

That is what a new report from the Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi has revealed when discussing the reasoning behind starting left tackle Trent Brown's absence on Sunday against the Bills. 

"Internally, I’m told, there was belief Brown could have returned before and did not," Giardi writes. "The belief was that he was protecting himself and his future earnings in a season without the promise of a postseason.

With the number of players on the roster who were playing through injuries — including those on the offensive line — needless to say, that hasn’t gone over very well (and nor should it)."

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) in action during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.  / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Brown had previously been dealing with knee and ankle injuries that had seen him miss four games over the previous nine weeks. However, after missing the Patriots' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he returned to play sparingly in the win over the Denver Broncos. 

Yet, the 21 snaps he took against the Broncos may be his last in Foxboro. This notion of Brown quitting his team ahead of the expiration of his contract was seemingly backed up in the same report by Giardi when he spoke to an unnamed Patriots player.

“A lot of us — almost all — are fighting for each other and for pride, even though the results aren’t what any of us want,” an anonymous teammate of Brown said to Giardi. “It sucks that not everyone is willing to put it out there. I hope people who sign the checks are paying attention.”

Patriots' Latest Loss Clinches Another Dubious Feat

It certainly isn't a good look for Brown, who was in the midst of potentially one of his better seasons as a Patriot. According to Pro Football Focus, Brown's overall offensive grade was the highest of his career at 80.3, while his 80.8 for run blocking was also a new career mark. 

The Patriots will finish a disastrous 4-12 season at home against AFC East rival, the New York Jets, and it will likely occur without Brown's help.