Duane Brown reveals conversation with Russell Wilson over offseason comments
Veteran tackle Duane Brown and Russell Wilson needed to clear the air in the offseason, after comments Wilson made back in February.
Brown is back at practice for the Seattle Seahawks after re-structuring his contract for the upcoming season. The return of the Pro Bowl tackle has everyone in good spirits, especially the Seahawks signal-caller.
Brown on Wilson’s frustration
On Wednesday following practice, Brown spoke to the media on the Wilson saga over the summer and the conversation he had with his quarterback. When asked whether or not he spoke to Wilson after Wilson voiced concern about the team’s inability to protect him, Brown replied “of course, I did.”
“You guys saw what came out. I had to talk him. We had a good conversation. Obviously, there was some stuff said after the Super Bowl. We talked about it. It was a good talk,” the left tackle stated.
The duo spoke about it via FaceTime and hashed out what issues they had with one another.
“As an offensive lineman, that’s something I take pride in, keeping my quarterback clean. So you hated to hear it, but at the same time I think a lot of that stuff, his thoughts and feelings dated from before I was here,” Brown said. “He feels how he feels. It’s a group effort to not have sacks. It’s not just on us, and I think we’re all aware of that. I’m the first person to go off whenever I see him get hit. He knows that, and everyone knows that. So just trying not to make that a thing this year.”
Wilson has been sacked 146 times in the three full seasons Brown has been there. In the 2018 season, he was sacked a career-high 51 times. But this issue has been around longer than Brown’s tenure in Seattle. Since 2013 the Seahawks have given up at least 40 sacks a season. In comparison, Tom Brady was sacked 48 times in his last two seasons combined. Just last year alone Wilson was sacked 47 times.
The duo going forward
Brown closed off the topic by saying that thing between he and are good and that the two are on “good terms.”
“There’s never been any beef or bad blood between me and him,” Brown said. “He stood on the table for me before I got here. It’s all good.”
Even though Russell Wilson was frustrated with the lack of protection, he fought for Brown during his hold-out. The two clearly mean something to each other and Wilson’s actions spoke volumes to the veteran tackle.
“Russ is my guy. It meant a lot to me. He didn’t have to do that. His legacy here is set in stone,” Brown said. “It just goes to show how much he appreciates the work I put in. I love the guy. That’s another reason I said I never wanted to miss any games, because I wanted to be out there for him as well.”
While there was frustration about the lack of protection for Wilson, much of that had little to do with Brown, as he finished the season ranked near the top of tackle play. On an offensive line, it is the job of all five linemen and the quarterback to keep him upright. And while these two are doing all that they can, the Seahawks have to find more help to protect their star quarterback.
For now, all is well in Seattle. Duane Brown is back and happy, and so is Wilson.