Patriots cost Trent Brown big contract incentive by benching him

Brown has battled injuries this season that have limited his playing time. Benzan noted last month that Brown would only be able to earn the 65% playing-time incentive. By making Brown a healthy scratch in Week 17, the Patriots mathematically eliminated the possibility of Brown earning any of that money.

The timing of the decision from Bill Belichick hardly seems like a coincidence. Brown is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. In an interview with Sophie Weller of A to Z Sports this week, Brown expressed frustration with the Patriots over the way his contract has been handled. He said he expected to have a new contract by now after what the team told him when he signed his most recent two-year deal in 2022.

“It would have been done when they said it was going to get done. When I signed the last one,” Brown said. “The one I signed two years ago, I was told that I would, if I had a good year then I would; we should get it fixed. It never happened.”

Brown said he understands why he has not gotten a new deal, as the Patriots have had “a lot of moving parts” over the past two seasons.

The Patriots have had an extremely disappointing season. Their offensive line has been an issue, though Brown has mostly played well when healthy.

Even if Belichick does not return to New England next season, it seems all but certain now that Brown will depart in free agency.