Bengals' Brown: We'll be better after Chase, Higgins got extensions
Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown believes his team's offense can reach new heights after giving lucrative contracts to wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
"We're really special," Brown said on NFL Network. "I'm really proud of the way that we worked this offseason, just with the intent and focus from us as individuals, as players. Everything that the coaches threw at us, we were able to respond really well.
"I mean, I'm excited, man. At the end of the day, paying Tee and Ja'Marr, making them more comfortable, knowing that they're going to be able to go out there and sell out even more than they have in the past, I think it's only going to make us better, to be honest."
The Bengals made Chase the highest-paid wide receiver in the league with a four-year, $161-million extension and handed Higgins a four-year, $115-million deal in March.
Cincinnati finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs last campaign due to a slow start to the season. The Bengals won their final five games of the year, but it wasn't enough to secure a wild-card spot in the AFC.
The offense wasn't to blame for the lackluster season, though - it ranked sixth in success rate and seventh in EPA/play, according to Ben Baldwin's database. Cincinnati's defense, on the other hand, finished 25th in points allowed per contest. The team made sweeping changes on that side of the ball this offseason, including firing longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and replacing him with Al Golden.
"For us, I think the focus has been more on this year as opposed to last year and previous years," Brown said. "There's so many areas that we want to take the next step in.
"I think at the end of the day, we know who we are, we know what our DNA is, especially as a team and as an offense. So, we have a ton of confidence in that. To me, I don't think it's necessarily gonna be a ton of carryover, although you think it would be."
Brown, 29, has been Cincinnati's starting left tackle since 2023. He allowed three sacks and 20 pressures in 11 contests last year, according to PFF.