Report: Bucs, Antonio Brown “Not Close” But Are Talking
April 1st, 2021
Contract talks stalled.
The Bucs haven’t closed the door on bringing furniture-tossing, bicycle-throwing receiver Antonio Brown back. But per a well-plugged-in reporter who works for the NFL’s house organ, the two parties are “not close” in terms of cash.
Mike Garafolo took to the airwaves of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network today, and per Kevin Patra of NFL.com, Garafolo said Brown and the Bucs are far apart on the financials.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Thursday… that the Bucs and Brown discussed a possible return this week, including money, but noted “they’re not close right now” in terms of the financial situation.
“They want to bring him back, the Bucs do, just at a different number than he has in mind right now,” Garafolo said.
You’ll also notice, apparently, Brown’s camp and other NFL teams are not close, either. It’s April and Brown is still looking for work. So either Brown is expecting way too much cash or he’s not getting any decent offers.
Of course, with his legal hassles still an open book, most teams are likely quite skittish about bringing him in — just like you don’t hear about teams trying to trade for Deshaun Watson right now. And Brown’s history of wigging out when he doesn’t get his way is also likely scaring off teams.
Asked earlier today about continuing to upgrade the roster, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht didn’t mention Brown by name but specifically said he can and has upgraded the Bucs roster with lesser names with lesser salaries.
“It’s still a fluid situation,” Licht said when asked if he’s done shopping at the free agency buffet. “We still have things change every day. We are still seeing what we can do on a couple of different fronts.
“But I don’t think it is ever done. You are always trying to upgrade your roster or bring in guys for competition. It may not be the high-dollar guys. It may be minimum wage. It may be guys just giving them an opportunity, young guys.
“I think those types of moves are underrated a little bit — guys like the Aaron Stinnies and guys like that who come in and play a big factor for your team that during the season when you claim them off waivers or sign them from the practice squad like we have over the last few years that doesn’t make a lot of news at the time but they become important members of your team.
“It doesn’t have to be a big-dollar guy or a high-money guy [to upgrade]. We will continue to do that through the rest of the offseason.]
Joe just has a hunch that if some team was willing to shell out more cash for Brown than the Bucs, Brown already would be signed. The only team he seemed to be seriously linked to besides the Bucs was the Seahawks.
Joe doesn’t believe Brown will find a better place for himself to play this year than Tampa. Brown could play on another prove-it contract and then next year when teams are flush with new TV revenue, he can clamor and maybe get more money elsewhere.
At least the two sides are still talking.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:14 pm
Brown behaved here. That makes 1 NFL city he behaved… well, maybe Foxboro, but he was doomed there. I bet offers aren’t flowing in.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:15 pm
The report last week was the biucs and fournette were not close…plus our wr depth is outstanding. Scotty Miller going into a full offseason with Brady, Tyler Johnson second year, O.J Howard ( who??? ) should be at his best under Brady, Godwin still here, Evans, Gronk…Thats a fanytasy football team right there without A.B…
I’m not saying I wouldnt love to have him back, I mean he is Antonio Brown, however I really think the existing roster will be even more explosive than last year even without him and ESPECIALLY since Brady corrected the playcalling.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:21 pm
I believe he will sign eventually. He wants to come back, and doesn’t have many other options.
He will be the best 3rd WR in the league again….until he goes to trial in December.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:22 pm
The exact thing was said about Fournette days before he signed.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:26 pm
It seems obvious the Bucs offered about the same as last year and said that’s it. That’s all we can do.
And he’s just biding some time to see if something better comes along.
I would love to know what they have left with the salary cap.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Would really like to have AB back…..just think about this WR corps with either Evans or Godwin out…….AB would make a huge difference….
We probably have the best shot at signing him. But, if we don’t we need to bring in another good FA receiver or we need to draft one in the top 3 rounds.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:29 pm
I think Joe stated it like it really is. I hope he comes back. But, if not, Licht will find a way. Our WR position has pretty good depth already. Hope a decision comes soon.
April 1st, 2021 at 3:38 pm
Go back to him with the same offer the week of the draft and ask him to make a decision by Thursday noon. Then the Bucs can decide if they want to draft a WR or wait until after the draft to pick up a remaing FA on the market.
April 1st, 2021 at 4:04 pm
Last time we had a report like this about Fournette, he signed in 3 hours.
April 1st, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Cant blame either side. I get Brown wanting to get the most he can and of course the Bucs should just about be out of that salary cap magic they seemed to have had a plethora of.
Hate to see him go but it’s probably a fait accompli at this point.
April 1st, 2021 at 4:23 pm
Save the $$ sign Larry and go get Kerrigan or Ingraham
April 1st, 2021 at 4:30 pm
Scotty Miller 33 receptions 501 yards long 48
Antonio Brown 48 receptions 483 yards long 46
AB is established but Scotty Miller is more than capable of filling his role, people are fascinated with names. AB is not needed more than depth up front.
April 1st, 2021 at 5:40 pm
Pewter, I like Miller as much as the next guy but when it comes to playing WR he really can’t even hold Brown’s jock. Let’s be real.
April 1st, 2021 at 5:53 pm
Brown is a luxury and that’s it. Great talent but that December trial date will be looming all season. This team doesn’t need those types of distractions. Besides didn’t we here something about him bickering on the sidelines at some of the games last year . I say we don’t need him!
April 1st, 2021 at 6:04 pm
So at this point AB is likely to sulk if nobody wants to pay him what he wants. Do the Bucs really want a guy with his well established attitudes ” settling for what the Bucs have offered only because nobody offered him major money. He was lucky to get a break because of Brady last season. His history makes him a high risk attitude wise. Let him walk.
April 1st, 2021 at 6:39 pm
MAGA!
April 1st, 2021 at 7:10 pm
I seem to remember Scotty Miller having the explosive plays. Scotty Miller was the guy in play against Green Bay for that big play right at the half this staff is comfortable with Scotty Miller as a receiving threat
Someone is thinking we have the 2018 Antonio Brown but we don’t. I don’t care either way because I know if he signs it will be on the cheap.
April 1st, 2021 at 7:43 pm
Hope Springs makes an excellent point about the sour/dour factor if Brown has to “settle” for a deal. He played well last year…and likely feels like he deserves a much bigger deal…doesn’t always work that way for a fella on his final opportunity.
Hard not to like/root for The Scooter Miller. He’s limited to go routes off a free release for the most part. The next NFL tackle he breaks will be his first. Reminds me of kid brother running past people who underestimate him.
April 1st, 2021 at 7:47 pm
I’d guess that if he isn’t signed by draft day we draft his replacement and then it’s over
April 1st, 2021 at 8:11 pm
I keep hearing Miller is not Brown. Well no he is not. But think about this. We have receiving threats all the way across the offense. If one or even two go down we still have more than most other teams. If JPP or Barrett go down we have…… Crickets…… WE HAVE no one. Spend what little money we have on a backup pass rusher. Then draft another.
April 1st, 2021 at 9:14 pm
There is absolutely no hurry here! AB probably wants to “hold out” and skip training camp and/or pre-season. It’s a typical veteran move. We’ll give the younger players more reps and have a fresher AB.
April 2nd, 2021 at 1:03 am
I’m cool with bringing Brown back on the cheap. Way too much baggage to invest a lot of cash in. I’m fine drafting a top flight receiver if one falls to us in the draft as well since Godwin has not proven to be worth 18+ million per year yet.
April 2nd, 2021 at 1:45 am
I’d rather have Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz is at the end of his career, but still productive and a great fit as a #3 WR. Plus an amazing character guy to have on a team.
April 2nd, 2021 at 5:02 am
the thing is:
you don’t want a secretly furious AB signing, but pissed he didn’t get what he wanted…
or felt the paycheck should be making up for lack there of from last season’s low contract…
if underlying issues are eating away at his core and he settles to be here, it could become an issue as the season wears on…
we do need a happy camper coming into camp…
pay the man, and if issues arise give him the boot…
with AB in the mix the wr and te corps are simply too much for any team to handle…
his signing simply makes the cup runneth over
April 2nd, 2021 at 9:30 am
Our first 3 picks should go ….(WR) R. Bateman…. (QB)K. Trask… either Running back from North Carolina. Willams or Carter doesn’t matter
April 2nd, 2021 at 12:53 pm
If there’s any doubt that Jason Licht doesnt know the value of a player, this offseason should end that conversation.
April 2nd, 2021 at 2:11 pm
If Brown signs with the Seahawks offer Cordarrelle Patterson the same deal he not only could serve as an extra receiver hes a hell of a return guy two for the price of one.