Wheeling and dealing
Texans trade Duane Brown to Seattle for defensive help, draft picks
It looks like Texans owner Bob McNair is not someone to be trifled with. Left tackle Duane Brown sat out seven weeks of the NFL season because he felt his contract, which had no guaranteed money in it, was not worthy of his status as a top tier player.
He returned to play in week 8, but only because the Texans would have been able to void the current year on his contract otherwise.
Brown, who was critical of McNair's infamous "inmate" comments, played well against the Seattle Seahawks in his first action back after a long layoff. It now appears that his performance on the field was an audition. In a not too surprising deal inked just before deadline, the Texans have traded Brown to those same Seahawks for immediate assistance on the defense and some long-term picks in the draft.
Reports indicate the trade consists of the Seahawks receiving Brown and the Texans receiving cornerback Jeremy Lane, a 2018 fifth-round pick, and a 2019 second-round selection.
Right off the top, both teams appear to benefit from the trade. The 41-38 shootout on Sunday made the Texans secondary problems obvious, and Lane adds a piece that will likely help.
In addition, the team can use all the draft picks they can get after trading away so many to the Cleveland Browns to get quarterback Deshaun Watson; thus, getting rid of Brock Osweiler.
With the trade, the Seahawks get a great left tackle to help them shore up their offensive line problems. Brown can also help them stay alive for another playoff run.
The Texans will lose their best offensive lineman, but since they have managed without him in the first seven weeks of the season, it's not much of a loss.
The deal is a win-win for both teams. The Seahawks are getting a three-time Pro Bowl selection. They will improve up front with a guy who doesn't have guaranteed money in his contract, and who has the ability to negotiate fresh for the few years he has left in his career.
As for the Texans, assistant head coach Romeo Crennel will hopefully put Lane into the right situations to help the defense promptly. As well, the additional draft picks will provide the team more chances to hit on a winner.
----------
This story originally appeared on SportsMap.