Brownlee, who said he developed a strong relationship with Glenn over the phone leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft when AG was DC at Detroit, shares a mutual respect for his new coach — and said this extends beyond just the energy and confidence he brings to the room as a coach.
“I knew him as a former corner, just watching his tape and film,” Brownlee said. “He was a great guy in this organization, this National Football League.”
Glenn is not the only one whose film Brownlee has studied. He has also followed the career of Sauce Gardner since his college days at Cincinnati, and he even had the chance to speak with the All-Pro CB during before the draft. As the two now become teammates, Brownlee was quick to say that “there are already a lot of great guys here,” with Gardner leading the way. He is confident, however, in his ability to elevate the DB room — especially when it comes to defending the run.
“I take a lot of pride in that, because you know, usually they always say there’s not a lot of corners in the NFL that love to hit or likes contact,” he said. “Me, I’m a different breed. I think it all comes from how I was raised, my childhood. I think I play the game through pain. So, for me, hitting, I just love hitting. I love making the opponent feel me. I don’t want to take the hit, so I’d rather be the one that delivers it. I take big pride in that, amazing. When I’m just out there, I feel like me missing a tackle, it just puts a grudge in my heart, and I feel some type of way about that. I take pride in being a top tackler as a cornerback.”
Though Brownlee continues to be “week to week” with an ankle injury, Glenn is eager for the newcomer to take the field and contribute to the physical brand of football he is looking to establish.
“All three of those guys, we’re excited to have,” Glenn said of newcomers Brownlee, LB Mark Robinson and practice squad addition LB Ben Niemann. “We’re going to get those guys implemented with what we’re doing, and they’re going to help us win.”
As Brownlee begins the next chapter of his career with the Green & White, he said he is taking things “day to day” while embracing his new environment.
“I believe in the man above and I believe everything happens for a reason, so I trust God and his word and his progress,” he said. “That’s where I’m at right now.”