Buccaneers sign wide receiver Antonio Brown from the Patriots

Antonio Brown (Wikimedia Commons)

According to the Associated Press on Friday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed controversial wide receiver Antonio Brown of Miami, Florida to a one year contract which could see him make $2.5 million this season. Brown reunites with Tom Brady. A year ago Brown played one game with the New England Patriots and caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown in a 43-0 Patriots hammering over the Miami Dolphins.

The reason why Brown only played one game for New England was because of his allegedly inappropriate behaviour off the field. After signing with the Patriots, Brown sent an inappropriate text message to a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. 

The fact that the Patriots gave Brown a second chance after problems to begin last season in Oakland was significant. That is because he was involved in another confrontation last year with Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock. Then after another dispute regarding his contract, Brown was released from the Raiders on September 7, 2019.

The reason why Brown, who is known as “AB” is considered an elite receiver is because of his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2010 to 2018. In nine seasons with the black and gold, Brown was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. Twice he led the NFL in receptions (129 in 2014 and 136 in 2015), twice he led the NFL in receiving yards (1698 in 2014 and 1533 in 2017), and once led the NFL in touchdown receptions (15 in 2018).

Now the questions rise if Brown will be able to find the same chemistry with Tom Brady as he did with Ben Roethlisberger. There will also be inquiries if Brown’s off-field drama will lead to significant distractions. The Buccaneers are a very good team at the moment. With a record of four wins and two losses, they lead the New Orleans Saints by half a game for the NFC South Division lead. Due to the eight-game suspension levied out to Brown last year, the earliest he could play for the Buccaneers is in week nine.

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