Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has signed a two-year contract extension, marking a rare move in the NFL where he negotiated the deal himself. The 29-year-old lineman, who joined the Bengals in 2023, took the initiative to approach team president Mike Brown directly about extending his contract that was set to expire after the 2026 season.

Brown said the process was straightforward, telling reporters he simply walked up to team leadership and asked to get it done. The veteran tackle has started 45 games for Cincinnati over three seasons and was coming off his first full season since recovering from a broken leg. His extension comes as the Bengals have been active in free agency, also adding edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook while losing defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens.

While contract terms weren't immediately disclosed, Brown's decision to represent himself reflects a growing trend of players taking more control of their negotiations. His relationship with the organization and confidence in his value made self-representation a logical choice. The extension provides stability for both player and team as they prepare for the upcoming season.