Former Jets tight end Daniel Brown waived by Chiefs
On Nov. 2, the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets partook in a player-for-player trade. New York general manager Joe Douglas sent tight end Daniel Brown to Kansas City in exchange for guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
Just 18 days later, the Chiefs waived Brown.
The Chiefs waived TE Daniel Brown, who was acquired from the #Jets in their trade for OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
Brown didn’t play in a game for KC.
Duvernay-Tardif played 3 special teams snaps in his Jets debut last Sunday.
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) November 20, 2021
Though a rather insignificant trade, it did and still does make sense for both sides.
For Kansas City, the move got Duvernay-Tardif’s contract off the books for the rest of 2021. For New York, the move added competition on the offensive line.
Looking to get absolutely anything for Duvernay-Tardif before his contract expired by the end of the season, the Chiefs took a flier on the 29-year-old tight end. It amounted to nothing as Brown did not play a single snap for his new team during his short stay in Kansas City.
On the other side of the trade, Duvernay-Tardif has yet to play a single offensive snap with New York, although he took part in three special teams plays in his debut against the Bills. Greg Van Roten once again started at right guard.
Van Roten has allowed 32 pressures this season, which is the highest total in the NFL among right guards, so the possibility exists that Duvernay-Tardif could replace him at some point.
Brown was released on Saturday, one day before the Chiefs take on the Cowboys at home. The corresponding move was to activate their 2020 first-round pick, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, off of injured reserve.
While Brown’s stay in Kansas City was shorter than the blink of an eye, a reunion with the Jets could make sense.
Just three days after the trade, the Jets’ starting tight end, Tyler Kroft, suffered a lung laceration and was placed on injured reserve. Kroft will be eligible to return for Week 13 on Dec. 5, but until then, the Jets are stuck with Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco, and Kenny Yeboah at tight end.
Brown appeared in seven straight games to start the season, taking at least one offensive snap in six. Although a virtual non-factor, Brown knows the playbook and could fill in for the short term in an area of weakness for the Jets.
Not only would he likely see more offensive snaps, but Brown would also likely reclaim his large role on coordinator Brant Boyer’s special teams unit. In all seven appearances this season, Brown took at least 17 special teams snaps.
The main thing preventing Brown from coming back to New York is Kenny Yeboah. The undrafted free agent rookie out of Ole Miss was signed to the active roster off the practice squad this past Tuesday. Unless the Jets want to carry four tight ends, a homecoming with Brown is unlikely.
