Usman Salis
Let's talk money – Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (OBJ) has stacked up an impressive $48.6 million through his NFL career. This guy's not just riding on his famous dad's coattails; he's carved out his own path to financial success.
How Orlando Brown Jr. Built His Career and Fortune
Born May 2, 1996, in Baltimore, OBJ was practically destined for the gridiron. His dad, Orlando "Zeus" Brown Sr., had already made a name for himself during nine NFL seasons with the Browns and Ravens. But here's something you might not know – young Orlando didn't even start playing football until sixth grade! The story goes that he literally begged his dad to let him play.
Despite this late start, the kid was a natural. I mean, with his size and athletic ability, how could he not stand out? After tearing it up at Peachtree Ridge High in Georgia (where scouts gave him a modest three-star rating), college programs came calling – Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn all wanted him.
Though he initially said yes to Tennessee, OBJ ended up at Oklahoma instead. Smart move. After redshirting his freshman year in 2014, he locked down the starting left tackle position for the Sooners. By his senior year, this dude was collecting serious hardware – All-America honors and finalist status for the Outland Trophy. Not too shabby!
OBJ's (Orlando Brown Jr.) First NFL Contract and Early Earnings
Here's where things get interesting. Despite crushing it in college, OBJ bombed at the 2018 NFL Combine – like, historically bad numbers. His draft stock took a nosedive, and he slipped to the third round, where the Ravens scooped him up with the 83rd pick.
On May 16, 2018, Brown signed his first NFL contract – a modest four-year, $3.49 million deal with an $865,720 signing bonus. Decent money for most of us, but peanuts by NFL standards for a top tackle prospect.
But you know what? The guy showed up and proved the doubters wrong. He started 10 games his rookie season and just kept getting better. By year two, he'd earned his first Pro Bowl selection, then backed it up with another in 2020. The football world was starting to realize this guy was the real deal.
How Orlando Brown Jr. Reached His Financial Peak
April 2021 marked a major turning point when Brown got traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. There's actually a cool backstory here – he specifically wanted to play left tackle, the position his late dad had always dreamed he'd play. Talk about honoring your father's legacy!
With the Chiefs, Brown's star kept rising – two more consecutive Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2022. The Chiefs slapped the franchise tag on him in March 2022, which meant a one-year deal worth about $16.7 million. Not a bad payday! During that season, he helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LVII and got himself a shiny championship ring.
But the real money move came in March 2023, when OBJ signed a massive four-year, $64.09 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. This contract was the game-changer – $31.1 million signing bonus, guaranteed cash, and an average annual salary around $16 million. Just like that, he became one of the NFL's highest-paid tackles.
What Is Orlando Brown Jr. Current Net Worth?
According to Forbes' 2023 rankings, Brown's sitting pretty with a net worth of about $48.6 million, making him the 38th highest-paid athlete in the world. Almost all of that comes from his NFL checks – endorsements only account for about $100K.
Speaking of endorsements, Brown's portfolio might not be as stacked as some other NFL stars, but he's still got some sweet deals with brands like Nike, Gucci, BMW, Ralph Lauren, BodyArmor, and Moncler. He's also an ambassador for Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes research organization – a cause that hits close to home given his family's history with the disease.
Orlando Brown Jr. Key Principles for Success
So what's this guy's secret sauce? Here are five principles that have guided OBJ's career:
- Honor your legacy: Brown never forgets where he came from. After his father passed away in 2011 from diabetic ketoacidosis, he started wearing a white bandana under his helmet for every game – a nod to his dad's advice about having something that makes you stand out.
- Push through the tough times: When his father died, Brown's life went off the rails for a bit – grades slipping, motivation shot. But he pulled himself together, refocused, and eventually kept his promise to make it to the NFL.
- Stand up for what matters: Both his dad's death and his brother's type 1 diabetes diagnosis lit a fire under Brown to become an advocate for diabetes awareness and research. The man uses his platform for good.
- Make smart career moves: Whether it was requesting a trade from the Ravens to play left tackle or signing with the Bengals, Brown's shown he can make strategic decisions that serve both his personal goals and his bank account.
- Keep it balanced: Despite the millions, Brown seems to maintain a pretty grounded lifestyle compared to some other NFL players. He's thinking long-term about his finances, not just the next splurge.
As Brown continues blocking for the Bengals, his net worth will likely keep growing – especially if he maintains his Pro Bowl-caliber play. His story isn't just about football; it's about honoring family, overcoming tragedy, and making smart moves both on and off the field.
For anyone who loves a good success story, OBJ's journey from being the son of an NFL player to becoming one of the league's top-paid tackles shows what's possible with talent, grit, and smart planning.
Usman Salis
