Hours after star wide receiver Antonio Brown was released by the Oakland Raiders Saturday, the New England Patriots inked the wideout to a one year contract.
The former Pittsburgh Steeler (2010-2018) who had signed a contact in the offseason with the Raiders has been troubled since joining Oakland. First came frostbite on his feet from a cryotherapy machine, and then two grievances he filed with the NFL over having to wear the new helmets the league has mandated both in which he lost. More recently on Wednesday Brown got into a heated argument that became physical with Raiders general manager Mike Mayock. Brown apologized and was cleared and ready to play by head coach Jon Gruden in the upcoming Oakland season opener Monday against the Denver Broncos. Sometime in the overnight hours Friday into Saturday, Brown was told by the Raiders that his 29 million dollar signing bonus was being put on hold for now because of his recent actions. That prompted Brown to ask for his out right release from the team. He is about to enter his 10th season in the NFL, and this officially will be his first team he plays with other than Pittsburgh.
Brown agreed to join the Patriots on a one year deal worth a reported 15 million dollars, with a nine million dollar signing bonus. The signing should make New England who was already one of the top AFC frontrunners to return to another Super Bowl the now clear and prohibitive favorites. Because he was not on the roster prior to 4 p.m. Saturday, he will not be eligible to play week 1 against his old team. Brown should be available and ready to go when New England travels to Miami to play the Dolphins in week 2. The acquisition should also give the Patriots more of a deep threat than in recent years alongside Josh Gordon. Brown had 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns last season in Pittsburgh. He has had at least 1,100 yards or more in seven of the nine years with the Steelers, with a career high 136 catches for 1,834 yards in 2015.
