Trent Brown reportedly set to sign with Oakland

For the second year in a row, the Patriots will lose their starting left tackle.

When free agency starts on Wednesday, Trent Brown will cash in and sign a massive four-year, $66-million deal with the Oakland Raiders, according to ESPN. The left tackle, who played one season in Foxboro, will get $36.7 million in guaranteed money. This will make Brown, 25, the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history.

This is a familiar story for the Patriots.

Last season, [...]

For the second year in a row, the Patriots will lose their starting left tackle.

When free agency starts on Wednesday, Trent Brown will cash in and sign a massive four-year, $66-million deal with the Oakland Raiders, according to ESPN. The left tackle, who played one season in Foxboro, will get $36.7 million in guaranteed money. This will make Brown, 25, the highest paid offensive lineman in NFL history.

This is a familiar story for the Patriots.

Last season, the Pats lost Nate Solder, who signed a huge four-year, $62 million deal with the New York Giants at the start of free agency. That led the Patriots to drafting Isaiah Wynn in the first round and then trading a third rounder for Brown and a fifth-round pick, who turned into linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley.

Brown was fantastic in his only season with the Patriots. At 6-foot-8, 380 pounds, he showed off elite athleticism for his size. He started every game at left tackle, adequately protecting Tom Brady’s blindside. The best-case scenario to replace Brown is already on the roster in Wynn.

Drafted 23rd overall, Wynn is undersized at 6-foot-2, 310 pounds, but the Pats drafted him to play tackle. Last offseason, he lined up at both left and right tackle during training camp. In the spring, Wynn also played left guard. His rookie season, however, was cut short as he suffered a torn Achilles in the Patriots second preseason game.

On Monday, Wynn was elated for Brown, tweeting that the veteran “Broke the [expletive] bank” He added that Brown “earned every last cent. Proud [expletive] of big pro. [Definitely] paved the way.”

The Pats will undoubtedly add to their tackle position this offseason. With Wynn’s recovery timetable unknown, it would make sense to add a veteran to the fold who could play left tackle. Re-signing LaAdrian Waddle would help. The team could also look at bringing back Cameron Flemming or free agents like Ty Nsekhe or T.J. Clemmings.

Of course, the Pats could add depth through the draft. Either way, Brady will have a new player protecting his blindside in 2019.