There Is A Reason Why The Bucs Haven’t Released Antonio Brown (Yet)
January 4th, 2022
Still on roster.
So Monday, 5 p.m. came and went. And Antonio Brown was not released by the Bucs as the NFL would have announced the transaction at 5 p.m. And there is a reason.
It seems the Bucs don’t want Brown popping up on the roster of the Rams or the Packers or the Chiefs or the Cowboys. So the Bucs, per various reports, are in negotiations with both the NFL and the NFLPA to determine which designation the Bucs can use on Brown to prevent him from becoming a free agent without using up a roster spot.
The Bucs may also try to suspend Brown.
Mike Florio, the creator, curator and overall guru of Pro Football Talk, also suspects the Bucs will try to suspend Brown, which would prevent him from being paid for his last game. Brown’s contract with the Bucs is guaranteed.
Mark Maske of the Washington Post has further details.
The deliberations between the team and the league were focused on which designation the Buccaneers might place on Brown for player-personnel purposes, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.
There was no consideration Monday by the NFL of league-imposed discipline against Brown for Sunday’s episode, according to that person. The NFL Players Association also was involved in the deliberations regarding Brown’s status, another person familiar with the situation said.
Last night on “Total Access,” NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport offered more details of what happened between the Bucs and Brown. As Joe suspected yesterday, Brown apparently blew a gasket at halftime in the Bucs locker room but Rapoport was not clear what the incident was about or what sparked it.
So Brown was already at full boil before he refused Arians’ orders to get back on the field.
Jaclyn Hendricks of the New York Post reported that when Brown entered the tunnel after his jumping jacks exhibition in the end zone, MetLife Stadium security initially thought he was a fan and they were going to (ahem) detain him.
Then Brown demanded that New Jersey state police give him an escort to Newark Airport but they refused because he was topless and didn’t have his wallet.
Yesterday on his podcast/YouTube channel/radio show, Pat McAfee, who has a lot of connections with Bucs coaches and NFL players, claimed that someone close to Brown told him what started all of this mess was that Brown was peeved at the Bucs because he felt the Bucs dissed him and did not support him in his time of need during the three-game suspension he served for flashing a fake V-card.
On face value this seems completely asinine because the Bucs actually went to bat for him. But then Joe remembered Brown wigged out and quit in Pittsburgh when the team still had a shot at the playoffs because he was not voted team MVP. So yeah, asinine logic to fuel a fit suits Brown perfectly.
After Brown returned to the Bucs following his suspension, he was a totally different person, McAfee said. The relationship between him and the Bucs rapidly began to deteriorate.
Notice yesterday Rapoport reported the Bucs dealt with “endless issues” with Brown and Sunday was the final straw? So this sort of backs up McAfee’s intel.
You can see and hear what McAfee was told about Brown’s blowup Sunday and the buildup that led to it in the video below.
PER SOURCES: Antonio Brahn felt as if he didn’t get enough respect or backing during his suspension from the Bucs.. as soon as he came back to the team it was a completely different relationship#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/Ps1vtfwaAS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 3, 2022
January 4th, 2022 at 7:12 am
The NFL should let the Bucs write their own decision on this since Brown made a mockery out of the NFL as well with his attention getting ways on live coverage. Book him Dano
January 4th, 2022 at 7:12 am
If I were them I’d be happy if he signed wjth a playoff team right now. Release him! I dont think he ever signs in the league again. If so tho let him sink a playoff team mid game! A GM with a team heading to the playoffs signing a guy with that many issues who just quit on his playoff team mid game?? That’d be stoopid. Release him Bucs!
January 4th, 2022 at 7:19 am
Imagine him doing this during a Super Bowl!
January 4th, 2022 at 7:20 am
WTH…he lied and it resulted in a three game suspension. Whose fault is that? Browns alone. And he can’t get that, and then decides to pout and quit on the team? The only thing more pathetic than Brown is the fans that are still trying to lobby the team to bring him back. And BTW… I mentioned the Suspension word yesterday…do it guys… why reward him by letting him go elsewhere and help some other team?
January 4th, 2022 at 7:26 am
I guess AB chose the wrong team. He should have chosen the Packers if he was looking for a team to cover for his diversions and lies. Too bad AB…but I’m pretty sure Rodgers would have had your back. Seems you crossed Brady and the Bucs organizations line.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:28 am
There are also reports he didn’t think he was being targeted enough in the game.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:31 am
Look on the bright side guys. Maybe we’ll get some topless jumping jacks from Annie Agar tomorrow.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:34 am
Think about it AB…you could have said you were “immunized”, followed the Green Bay/ Rodgers “protocols”, and gone on your merry way, had you been in Green Bay. That is what you get for belonging to an organization that has older coaches that are particularly vulnerable to the disease and tries to follow league rules.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:37 am
what did he expect ? a coming home party after he faked his vax card? ABnormal
January 4th, 2022 at 7:44 am
Maybe AB expected the Bucs to compensate him for not making bonus benchmarks due to the suspension and Bucs refused (as they should).
The problem with cutting him is another playoff team may sign him just to get playbook information…
January 4th, 2022 at 7:44 am
I love all these online doctors saying he needs mental health treatment. How bout maybe just maybe he’s just a bad guy??
Most times the simplest explanation is the correct explanation. The guy is simply a terrible person.
Imagine the disappointment from TB12. You want to talk about being betrayed by someone you lifted out of obscurity and given the chance of a lifetime AGAIN.
Antonio Brown deserves nothing but scorn and mockery. He’s the epitome of an aimless rudderless human being. F him.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:45 am
Sounds like that fake v card ticked off people of authority more than suspected.
January 4th, 2022 at 7:56 am
He’ll be back…
January 4th, 2022 at 8:06 am
Place him on injured reserve pending mental evaluations…..
Or….suit him up and give him a fifth chance.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:06 am
Gronk and Brady need to get on the phone and get Edelman to fly down to Tampa.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:07 am
His biggest mistake was to sign with us for an incentive laden contract. He thought he would easily make all the incentives. But the 3 game suspension really hurt him. I think once he realized he was not gonna make the incentives, he quit.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:08 am
I said there were two possibilities:
1) He gets another shot
2) He stays buried in the roster to avoid him going to a playoff team as an FA.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:13 am
Give him another suspension for gross behavior. Require a full mental health evaluation by three neutral mental health experts. Season over before final reports. Bye bye.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:14 am
I think I read somewhere that w/o all the incentives in his contract, basically he was playing for nothing!
I bet if him and Arians apologized to each other, and he apologized to the whole team, and the Bucs coughed up a few hundred thousand, we could have our best receiver back!
January 4th, 2022 at 8:15 am
He won’t get another shot because NFL players think he is only all in for himself. He has elevated himself above his teamates and no experienced NFL players will want him on their team.
Some fans would put up with him because of his talent but when your teamates need you and you walk out, there are no veteran players that would want to play with this man.
The Bucs and Brady threw him a life-vest last year and he danced all over them at Met Life on Sunday, waiving the the Jets crowd. That image is too much to overcome. Its over for Antonio Brown as a professional football player.
There is probably some reality TV show that will pick him up for his “entertainment” value. If Dr Drew was still on the air, he would be a candidate for “Celebrity Rehab”.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:16 am
It’s weird saying this but, why “reward” him by releasing him?
If he gets another shot elsewhere, make sure it isn’t until next year.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:17 am
Todays episode of ‘As the Bucs Turn’.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:21 am
😳
January 4th, 2022 at 8:24 am
Chris nailed it, it’s about the money.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:26 am
Baker Act him.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:31 am
Sorry there is no excuse for his actions but coaches deal with premadonas all the time. Rather than argue with him on the sideline BA should have shut him down at half-time and not let him out of the locker room or send him home then. I kind of get it because the whole time he was suspended BA kept claiming he didn’t know if they were cutting him or not when in reality once the NFL punished him it was over. All I’m saying is this episode could of been prevented instead of a pissing contest on the sidelines. Coaches are suppose to manage their players.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:32 am
As bad as this is and it is pretty bad doesn’t look good for the organization as this story is all over the national news. Us Bucs fans have seen a lot worse with Josh Freeman and Schiano mess when he was around. I think AB is done though and I am not sure it has anything to do with his mental health more of just him being stupid like Randy Moss said on MNF last night.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:34 am
Just think, if he had simply paid his chef none of this would have happened. Until the next thing happened of course.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:38 am
This is crazy, the Bucs are trying to repeat as SB champions and this AB situation is diverting all energy and teamwork needed to win. Hopefully TB12 and the offense can use this as reason to overcome adversity and succeed. If anyone can turn this around it’s TB12.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:39 am
He’ll be back..
January 4th, 2022 at 8:48 am
Mental.
He blew up supposedly because he wasn’t getting targeted enough.
Then refused to go into the game to get targeted.
The boy is mental.
Imagine, if you will, a man with his physical talents with the attitude and mental make-up of Tom Brady.
We’d name him Larry Fitzgerald.
January 4th, 2022 at 8:55 am
As Tom said we all like to see AB at his best, Its obvious that AB has mental health issues , we hope one day he will get the help he needs.
NFL is a business
January 4th, 2022 at 9:01 am
AB was a half-dead snake found on the road by a compassionate Bucs organization. They nurtured him, gave him a chance to survive and as soon as he was feeling well, bit the organization back. Once a snake, always be a snake.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:02 am
Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:
January 4th, 2022 at 8:14 am
I think once he realized he was not gonna make the incentives, he quit.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Chris if that were true then all of his behavior is not mental health , but rather just a Giant A@s@s&Hooo///Le his track record speaks for itself …. He definetly took to many shots to the head over his career.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:03 am
Correct.. this was preventable..
Arians was being called a fraud during the covidiot issue. Why haven’t you ditched him Brucee.. ?
AB has lots of enemies. Hard to avoid the whiney beatches 24-7 , then his coach is acting like one.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:04 am
Dude isn’t having a mental health crisis, we just love to explain away bad behavior. Dude was having his diva moment trying to get back at this team and show them they couldn’t win without him and it backfired. Can’t tell the coach you’re to injured to play then exit the field doing jumping jacks. If anything he is crazy for doing this just before his incentives kicked in.
It’s not mental health crisis it’s stupidity, there has never been remorse for his actions or an ask for help or story of him trying to get help. This all started AFTER he worked to become one of the best receivers in the nfl
January 4th, 2022 at 9:08 am
Uhh, whoever thinks AB is the best WR on the team needs to realize there is more to being the best than just Sunday. There’s a whole 6 other days of the week at being the best and AB clearly isn’t that. He has the best getoff out of all our WRs, but his stats are no where near being top flight. He’s dependable when he’s not a nut case. That’s a big “if and when”.
I’ll take M1K3, CG, TJ, and the rest of the WR group over this diva any day.
But, if I were the Bucs, pay the idiot for the last game and deactivate him. No incentives. But, give him his game check and don’t look like a tool trying to protect him from joining another team AND saving some cash.
I would rather just cut him, his diva ways will be an issue on any team – his track record speaks for itself. One disgruntled nut case isn’t going to ruin our SB chances.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:13 am
If what we are hearing is correct and he acted out at half-time, this should of been prevented. End of story. Blame your coach.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:20 am
Lesko makes a good point.
I always thought Brown was a Brady rehab effort.
But the Brown rehab effort ended up biting him.
(Cue Al Wilson’s The Snake)
January 4th, 2022 at 9:21 am
Everyone expected AB to just go in there and be the #1WR that he is capable of being, but he doesn’t have the mental or the physical tools to handle that kind of pressure. He’s elite for a few games, but you cannot rely on him over the course of a season. His mental and physical condition clearly broke down, and the coaches were ratcheting up the pressure even more (for a player who is not earning the salary of a #1WR). He clearly did not want or need to go through the grind of an entire NFL season, and it was a mistake to think that the team could rely on him.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:24 am
Just last week we were all commenting on how fortunate we were to have him me included them POW he smacks us all in the face. Na na ba na na na na na hey hey hey good bye.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:34 am
T.O wants to fill Brown’s shoes as a Buc…LOL
48 years old.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:37 am
We played with fire…won an SB…made it to 12-4…and then got burned. It was inevitable, but worth the risk. The team knew what it was getting in AB on and off the field.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:39 am
Arians fed out enough rope, and AB tied the noose. He went over the line one too many times, so:
Baker Act him and pay-off some lawyers and doctors to keep him there until the Stupor Bowl is over.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:45 am
Joe Says:
January 4th, 2022 at 8:21 am
Look on the bright side guys. Maybe we’ll get some topless jumping jacks from Annie Agar tomorrow.
😳
**********************************************************
POST OF THE DAY!!!
Ya got MY vote!!!
January 4th, 2022 at 9:46 am
Put him on the physically unable to perform list due to mental issues or just suspend for 5 games or however many games the Bucs could play through the Super Bowl. Once the Super Bowl is over release him. I know everyone is saying no other team would pick him up, but don’t count on it. Another playoff team could grab him and take a chance he doesn’t blow again throughout the playoffs. Stranger things have happened in this world.
January 4th, 2022 at 9:49 am
It was a miracle to get anything out of this guy. It seems as if now his teammates are indicating they know he needs help. Still surprised at the pivot to compassion and empathy considering how they enabled the behavior of this troubled man- to win a football game. Keep him on the roster. Get him the help he needs. Dont play him. Move on.
January 4th, 2022 at 10:06 am
The irony of it all is that the problems all stemmed from him being a scumbag refusing to pay his chef. It’s ironic because I am sure he didn’t owe him $1m and brown easily gets that $1m in incentives if he simply plays those 3 games he is suspended and all of Sunday and week 18
January 4th, 2022 at 10:19 am
Cobra
Love Larry Fitzgerald but I also gotta sing some praise for Hines Ward possessing those same traits.
I think the Bucs, the League and the NFLPA will quickly get on the same page.
The reason is nobody supports AB’s behavior. PERIOD. It’s embarrasses a LOT of powerful people. TB12, BA, Licht, the Glazer, Goodell and the entire NFL and the NFLPA doesn’t want the bad pub that would result in them supporting AB.
The NFL is a wonderful publicity making machine even though many here HATE the media that makes it possible. They will not want AB type publicity heading into their premier branding part of the season the PLAYOFFS.
Here is my prediction. By this time next week it will be Antonio who?
January 4th, 2022 at 10:33 am
There’s no crying in football! Buh bye 👋🏼
January 4th, 2022 at 10:36 am
hard to believe bucs intentionally not target him for bonus money. didn’t he went for 115 yards vs Panthers and Tom was passing to him all the time? he was the star of that game BA even praised him. 1 mil bonus money is nothing for the glaziers
January 4th, 2022 at 10:39 am
Why haven’t any of you BA lovers addressed why this wasn’t over during half-time when he acted up in the locker room and the Bucs HC decided to take it to the sidelines?
January 4th, 2022 at 10:53 am
Lstn
Was he supposed to be handcuffed his locker? BA isn’t Urban Meyer. Not sure about your staunch defense of a head case who has pulled this crap repeatedly.
If he only had 3 catches in the first half I’m sure he ran his mouth at halftime. BA still gave him an opportunity to get back on the game. The fault doesn’t lie with the coach.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:09 am
Jmark, I am not sticking up for AB, I will say one of those catches went for 21 yards and he turned the DB left, then right then left again until the DB almost fell down. No he doesn’t have to handcuff him but the argument was clearly not solved and by that time AB was obviously a distraction, if AB said you’re done for the day and AB tried to storm the field the team/coaches & staff/security wouldn’t let him. So yes BA could of easily ended it in the locker room. You’re reaching!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:10 am
Jmark, I am not sticking up for AB, I will say one of those catches went for 21 yards and he turned the DB left, then right then left again until the DB almost fell down. No he doesn’t have to handcuff him but the argument was clearly not solved and by that time AB was obviously a distraction, if AB said you’re done for the day and AB tried to storm the field the team/coaches & staff/security wouldn’t let him. So yes BA could of easily ended it in the locker room. You’re reaching!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:13 am
Just like what Gruden did with Keyshawn Johnson, just sent him home, while not releasing him.
Do the same with AB. Do not let any team use his talents the rest of this season.
Anyone can blame BA or the organisation, but the bottom line is AB put himself in this situation.
He is the one with the pattern of behavior that is detrimental to himself and others.
He quit on the Steelers 1 week before the playoffs, and now he has done it with the Bucs also 1 week before the playoffs.
Whether someone likes how the Coaches coach or not, I will quote TB12, Coaches coach and players play. AB is the one who signed his name on the contract of his own frill will, he was not coerced.
Yeah I wish he was still on the team, his talent is needed, but HE QUIT. ME tried to cool him down on the sideline, but AB still QUIT and took off his pads and walked off.
The man is not happy with himself, and until something changes that, he will keep on cycling in a negative way, continuing to end up in situations like this.
The common denominator with all the drama going on with AB is AB.
I do not think he is a bad person, but he is a very unhappy person, and it keeps on manifesting in his relationships with people in various ways.
I hope you find peace AB.
GO BUCS!!!!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:13 am
So the team / staff/ coaches couldn’t stop him from leaving the field, but they would have stopped him from coming on to it?
I’m reaching?
January 4th, 2022 at 11:14 am
This fits. He’s got borderline personality disorder IMHO.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:20 am
Stick him in the corner until the off-season and cut him then. He’s behaved like a child and should be treated like one, so time out for AB until March when he gets cut. He wants to be cut so he can jump in another roster, which will happen if we cut him now. I’d waste a roster spot just to make sure he doesn’t play the rest of this season, simply to make the point that you don’t get to throw a tantrum and get your way.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:21 am
Brooklyn
Exactly.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:52 am
Yes, just “de-activate” him. He was getting 5th or 6th WR money and being asked to do 1st WR work. Some players just don’t want to be asked to play above their pay grade. That doesn’t make sense to a lot of us, but that’s the way it is. It was just too much for him, and the fake vaccination card scandal (that he created) added to the pressure. His press conference after the Panthers win should have been a warning sign. Notice that no one is bothering Mike Edwards. Just one more “mysterious” occurrence for the Bucs organization that ranks right up there with Josh Freeman, JR Sweezy, any Saints free agent O-linemen coming to the Bucs, etc.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:54 am
J mark are you serious? If BA told him he was done in the locker room and he stormed the field, YES security would of stepped in. Oh and by the way, of course the team isn’t going to confront him on the sidelines mid game, that would look even worse than what he did. But I guess BA or his assistants didn’t see it that way, they chose to provoke the idiot. What AB did was embarrassing absolutely but not violent.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:05 pm
Suspending him is the best choice until the season is over.
This is what I said on Monday. That way no one else can pick him up for the playoffs.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:07 pm
How many hundreds of times if not 1000’s of times over the years have coaches benched players during a game?
But AB decides he is above his team, and up and quits.
There are so many players right now saying that is not the way for AB to respond in that situation.
AB is the common denominator in his drama, from Pitt, to the Raiders and Bucs and the off field stuff while in NE for a cup of coffee. And the other drama off the field too.
Again I hope AB finds peace, he is not a happy person.
GO BUCS!!!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
Lstn
Making it way too complicated.
AB bitches at halftime. BA says you’ll go back in when I say so, seeing as I’m the HC.
BA tells him to go in , a$$hole says no, cutting off his nose to spite his face in the process.
AB wasn’t “ fired” at halftime. He was taken down a notch, rightfully so. He didn’t like it so he does what he does… shows his a$$ in front of everyone. BA is not the culprit here.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
August, you are 100% correct if he QUIT. The story being told is BA and his assistant, how many 50 or so he has told him he was done and off the team. If that is the case, how can you say he quit? Sure he left like a drama queen but do you stay at your job if you’re let go?
January 4th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Last night my wife got home and she asked if Brown was cut yet. I said “I don’t think so. It hasn’t been officially announced but maybe Joe didn’t write about it today.” She said “hmm seems like a lay up to write about that today.” I said, “Listen here dame, Joe writes about what a Joe finds interesting. He don’t do layups”
Glad I’ll have an answer for her tonight now lol.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Jmark, if that is the case then you’re right but knowing the history of these two men, do you really believe AB took his medicine in the locker room and didn’t explode until later. Possible, I’ll buy that for sure as an option.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
RIP AB
January 4th, 2022 at 1:35 pm
Pretty simple List, he got pissed at whatever it was, could be a lot of things, and Quit. Simply said “F it” Chucked his gear and said see ya.
Same thing he did to Pitt a week before the playoffs, now we see a repeat 1 week before the playoffs.
GO BUCS!!!!
January 4th, 2022 at 1:37 pm
Nothing here surprising with AB. The crazy was kept contained for only so long. Good riddance.
BUT I do not understand why the NFL would not discipline him. That makes no sense based on things they have disciplined players for in the past.
So a player, in the middle of a game, while his team is on the field trying to convert a 3rd & 7, does half of a striptease and jumping jacks across the end zone while leaving the stadium?!?!?
The NFL does not see why that should be an action that demands discipline?
January 4th, 2022 at 1:39 pm
Being the optimist… May be removing this immature distraction will have a positive affect with the offense and it’s rhythm and flow moving forward
January 4th, 2022 at 1:57 pm
David
Agree on the addition by subtraction.
The thing about the NFL discipline. I’m sure they are still scratching their head like everyone else, no one has ever seen such an idiotic act during a game.
January 4th, 2022 at 2:15 pm
In the heat of the moment I was like screw this guy, cut him. Now thinking the maybe a more thought out approach is necessary short of putting him back on the field with the Bucs, ever. AB can enjoy this time off and cultivate his “music” career, sure that will work out perfectly
January 4th, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Smart move by the team. Suspension without pay would be nice payback, but I still hope Brown gets some real help before he hurts himself or others. I don’t think any team will pick him until he has months and months of therapy after he bit us in the a$$.
January 4th, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Does it really matter? I’m not looking in the rear view mirror.
January 4th, 2022 at 4:48 pm
I said it earlier and will say it again – if your feelings are hurt that AB is gone, you want to blame the coaches or you think he should come back, get a grip. Just pretend that he broke his leg and is out for the season. You will be able to deal with it much easier. We are all dealing with Chris being gone. That’s life. It’s also life when you try to blame everyone in the world for your self made problems like AB. He is GONE, DONE, FINISHED. Let’s stop crying over him and hold a parade for Arians for not taking anymore crap from an ungrateful nut job. This team doesn’t need any more distractions because of AB. They need to know that we are pumped for them and know that the players on this team have the talent to survive the loss of one guy who has only played part time since he got here! Go Bucs!
January 4th, 2022 at 8:04 pm
The best thing for the Bucs is to cut him end of day on Friday. That there is no chance a team can pick him up because he wouldn’t clear waivers until Monday. I am sure they have already cut off access to his play book on the I pad he was given. However he proves he is injured the will have to give him a injury settlement.