Wide Receiver Antonio Brown, who was most recently a part of the defending NFL champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is now a free agent once again after he cleared waivers on Friday. Brown had made his exit confirmed following the incident during the Week 17 game versus the New York Jets and has become a free agent for the second time within two years.
Joining the Buccaneers as a free agent back in 2020 and winning the Super Bowl LV, Brown had reunited with his former Patriots stalwart Tom Brady at Tampa Bay, and many thought that the WR, who has been involved in multiple controversies in the past, would have a longtime association with the franchise. Unfortunately, Brown’s activities during the Jets match had sealed his fate.
The relationship between Antonio Brown and Buccaneers had already cracked
Even though he was given clearance for Sunday’s game, Antonio Brown reportedly had a lingering ankle isue that made him absent during Thursday and Friday practices. In the middle of a third quarter drive, the player took off his helmet, jersey and pads and sprinted into the tunnel at the MetLife Stadium after waving off the spectators.
“He is no longer a Buc. That’s the end of the story,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians had already confirmed that they were parting ways with Brown following a 28-14 win over the Jets.
However, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport had reported that the ankle injury was not the only reason for the release and claimed that the crack between Brown and the Bucs had already built up.
“There’s been a boiling frustration inside the organization about Antonio Brown, his rehab, how much he was paying attention to that, his suspension, how honest he was with them,” said Rapoport on Good Morning Football. “Endless issues with Antonio Brown. We saw the end point yesterday with him taking his clothes off and running off the field. But that was certainly not where it started. It looked like this was the way the relationship was going to end anyway. It just ends in more histrionic fashion than maybe we imagined.”
“We all want him to get help in ways that he needs it,” Bucs quarterback Tom Brady spoke to reporters, “We all love him deeply. Unfortunately he won’t be with our team. People should be compassionate and empathetic with things that are happening.”
Highlights:
- Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Antonio Brown has become a free agent after clearing waivers on Friday
- Brown was released by the Buccaneers following his exit during Week 17 game against NY Jets
