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Free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown is reportedly generating interest from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season.
Both Mad Dog Sports Radio’s JT The Brick and The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi heard rumors Tuesday linking Brown to the Bucs, who have already added former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski to their offensive during the low season:
Michael Lombardi @ @mlombardiNFL
Hearing the same, @PatMcAfeeShow https://t.co/QU0umzdbPO
Signing Brown would represent a change of direction for Tampa head coach Bruce Arians.
In March, Arians explained on CBS Sports Network (via ESPN’s Jenna Laine) did not see the seven-time Pro Bowl selection as a good fit for the organization.
“Yes, it will not happen,” said Arians. “There’s no room. And there’s probably not enough money. But it’s not going to happen, it doesn’t fit here.”
He added: “Yes, I know him, and he doesn’t fit in our wardrobe.”
The two-time NFL coach of the year held a similar stance when he took over the Bucs in 2019 and discussed Brown in the Adam Schefter Podcast (via Kevin Patra from NFL.com).
“There is too much lack of communication, too much … diva,” said Arians. “I’ve heard so many stories, I like Antonio, he plays as hard as anyone on Sunday and practices a lot. He just has to make better decisions off the field, be on time, do some of those little things.”
Brown was one of the best receivers in the league during his nine-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2010 to 2018. He was first in receptions (837) and receiving yards (11,207) during that span and ranked second in touchdowns (74 ) behind only Gronkowski (79), for Pro Football Reference.
The 31-year-old Miami native was traded to the Oakland Raiders in March 2019, but lasted only six months with the organization before being released after conflicts with General Manager Mike Mayock.
He signed with the Patriots in September and caught a touchdown on his team’s debut. He was released before making another appearance with the team in the midst of problems off the field.
Britney Taylor, who worked as a Brown coach, filed a federal lawsuit that was later dismissed and filed statewide in Florida alleging three sexual assaults by the NFL player in 2017 and 2018, including one instance of rape. He countered it by claiming that the “false and defamatory” statements caused him “a significant financial loss.”
Robert Klemko of Illustrated Sports He reported that Brown had also been accused of sexual misconduct by a woman he hired to paint a mural of him at his home. The woman told Klemko that Brown approached her naked with only a towel covering her genitals while working on the mural. After the article was published, Klemko reported that the woman had received intimidating texts from the same number that she had previously used to communicate with Brown.
After the alleged text messages to Brown’s wife appeared, the Patriots released him.
Earlier this month, he did not plead any contest in a battery case stemming from a January altercation with a moving trucker.
Brown may face NFL discipline if he signs with a team for 2020:
B / R Gridiron @ @brgridiron
Antonio Brown is looking at a multi-game suspension, according to @MikeFreemanNFL. Various league sources believe the NFL will suspend AB “for at least six games.” Others believe that the punishment could span an entire season. https://t.co/cExkuOQz4S
Meanwhile, the Bucs already have five high-profile goals on their roster, including one of the best NFL duos in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. They also have three tight ends that can have an impact on Gronkowski, Cameron Brate and OJ Howard.
Although adding Brown would make the offense even more of a nightmare matchup for opponents, even if the main office traded one closed end for an improvement elsewhere on the list, trying to find enough targets to keep everyone involved. it would constantly be a struggle.
If Arians already had reservations about the four-time All-Pro first team “diva” trends before, it’s unlikely they will be mitigated when they aren’t guaranteed more than a few touches per game.
That said, the Bucs are chasing a championship after signing Brady away from the Pats for two years and $ 50 million. contract, and there is no doubt that signing Brown would further enhance the advantage of a star-studded offense.
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