The Antonio Brown-Raiders saga came to a merciful end on Saturday. After plenty of drama on Friday (including Brown posting a phone call with Jon Gruden on YouTube) and Saturday morning, the Raiders released the star wide receiver.
The Raiders have released WR Antonio Brown from the team today.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 7, 2019
Immediately, speculation began that the New England Patriots would scoop up Brown. They’ve certainly been known to take on drama, and they seemingly can afford to do so more than any other franchise with their winning culture and a loaded roster. If anybody can get Brown to buy in and want to play football, it’s Bill Belichick and an organization that’s won three of the last five Super Bowls.
And on Saturday afternoon, it was announced that the Patriots indeed signed Brown.
Antonio Brown has agreed to terms with the Patriots, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2019
Antonio Brown and the Patriots reached agreement on a 1-year deal worth up $15 million that includes a $9 million signing bonus, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2019
Well, on Thursday, Mike Francesa got a call on his WFAN radio show from a listener who said that Antonio Brown could be a good fit for the Patriots. Francesa immediately cut the caller off, and called the idea “ridiculous,” before adding “I don’t see it.”
https://twitter.com/BackAftaThis/status/1170501668850585600?s=20
It wasn’t the best few days for Francesa on the Antonio Brown front.
https://twitter.com/BackAftaThis/status/1170391945455296512?s=20
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.