Duane Brown's resiliency makes him locker-room favorite with Jets
Jets offensive tackle Duane Brown warms up before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, on Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: AP/Steve Luciano
Duane Brown wasn’t going out like that.
The 37-year-old left tackle said as much to coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and the Jets’ doctors and trainers after suffering a shoulder injury in camp. Season-ending surgery was an option — but not for Brown. He told a number of people, “I’m not going out like this.”
The Jets signed Brown in August after losing Mekhi Becton for the season with a knee injury, and he didn’t want to let them down. He chose to rehab his shoulder and try to play through the pain.
Brown spent four weeks on injured reserve and made his Jets debut two weeks ago against the Dolphins. He has played every offensive snap the last two games.
“I couldn’t start my season like that and end it like that,” Brown told Newsday. “That’s just not my makeup.
“In this league, you’re always trying to prove your worth and prove yourself no matter where you are in your career. I wanted to gain everyone’s respect, show everyone what I’m about. I told myself, if I have a chance to go out and compete and be able to play through it, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Brown, a five-time Pro Bowl player with the Texans and Seahawks, already had the Jets’ respect for what he’s accomplished in his 15-year career. That selflessness to play through pain and honor his commitment to the Jets only made them admire him even more.
Brown signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Jets, including $9 million guaranteed. He could have had surgery and collected his money. That wasn’t an option, though.
“He’s becoming the exception — just that mindset of team over me,” Saleh said. “It’s such a pleasure to have him on such a young roster, to show guys that this is the reason why he’s played for so long and there’s a reason why he’s had all these accolades. There’s a reason why he’s made all this money because he’s willing to sacrifice himself for the betterment of the team.”
Brown has been a stabilizing force for the Jets on the offensive line. They’ve undergone a lot of changes because of injuries and his return has bolstered the line. He has played in the wide-zone blocking scheme before, so the transition has been virtually seamless.
The 6-4, 329-pound Brown is affectionately called “Old Man” or “OG” by his younger teammates. Other than Joe Flacco, they’re all younger than Brown.
He’s a very popular and important presence in the Jets’ locker room and on offense, where six rookie or second-year players have had big roles.
Running back Michael Carter described the respect level the Jets have for Brown as “through the roof.” Carter also said Brown has “a dog mentality” for bypassing surgery and called him “a junkyard dog” for the way he plays.
“He’s a real vet, like a real vet,” Carter said. “It’s like a whole new realm of information that you won’t have if you don’t pick his brain. It means a lot. He’s like a veteran presence, especially on game day on the sideline. He always ends up saying what everybody is thinking — with passion. It really helps to have him in the locker room.”
On the field, Brown has been solid. He hasn’t allowed a sack in 114 snaps and has helped open holes for the Jets’ improved running game.
Brown made a key block on Braxton Berrios’ 20-yard touchdown on an end around in last Sunday’s win in Green Bay. Brown ran downfield and delivered a blow on linebacker Quay Walker just before Berrios scored.
“I turned upfield and I see Big Man running and I try to get to his hip as quickly as possible and just followed his lead,” Berrios said. “It’s awesome seeing that, just pure effort from a guy who has been in the league for so, so many years. Having him run downfield like that, you can tell he really cares and is willing to do whatever.”
Carter said: “He’s still got so much left in the tank. Somebody might look at him and be like, ‘They gave him how much?’ They turn that tape on and it speaks for itself. He deserves every penny of it and probably more. It’s like a real honor to play with him.”
Video of that block has been replayed in the Jets’ building, along with a not-so-flattering play by Brown from the Dolphins game.
“I had a block where I got out and I fell on my face,” he said. “We saw that, too, and we joked about it. I told myself I wasn’t going to repeat that this week. It’s good to get out there and get a touchdown off of it. It was a genius play call.”
Brown, a first-round pick by Houston in 2008, is thoroughly enjoying himself this season.
He admitted that in past years he felt “uptight” and “anxious” about playing left tackle because he “didn’t want to mess up.” He said it was good at times because it made him focus more, but he promised to have a different approach this season, especially after learning about the injury.
“Coming into this situation,” Brown said, “new team, high expectations for myself and having to deal with the adversity of the injury, I just told myself I’m going to enjoy the journey more. Still have expectations but just have more fun. No matter what happens, just enjoy the journey, enjoy the fun of being out there with my teammates.”
The Jets and Brown believe they’ve found a way to keep him sharp and ready for game days. The last two weeks, he’s been limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and then has a full practice on Friday. It’s been working for Brown, who is glad he chose to play.
“It’s very rewarding,” he said. “When I weighed the options initially, I didn’t think I would get to this point and feel the way I’m feeling and getting to a point where I’m comfortable to compete. Left tackle position in this league is as hard as it gets. Week in and week out, you’re facing some of the best athletes in the world. I’m grateful.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
