UPDATE: According to Schefter, Brown signed a one year deal, and is expected to make his debut Week 9 against the Saints.
Update: Antonio Brown and the Buccaneers have reached agreement on a one-year deal, per sources.
Language still has to be finalized, COVID protocols passed, but Brown is likely to make his Bucs’ debut in Week 9 against the Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2020
The Miami-born receiver is serving an eight-week suspension for violations of the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. The seven-time Pro Bowler was accused of sexual assault by a former trainer and has been involved in a laundry list of off-the-field problems, most notably being put on probation following pleading no contest to felony battery and burglary charges.
Despite all of this, Brown has received support from Seahawks QB Russell Wilson (Wilson is one of the favorites to win MVP this season; adding Brown to Seattle’s roster would certainly help him achieve that goal).
If the Bucs do end up signing Brown, it would certainly add some depth to an offense that already is one of the most talented in the league. It would also reunite Brown, who played with the Patriots for just two weeks before being released, with the GOAT.
In other NFC South news, the Saints will be without not only Michael Thomas but also Emmanuel Sanders for their matchup with the Panthers this Sunday. If the Saints lose (the Panthers could give them a lot of trouble, and without Sanders and Thomas, I think it happens), it would give the Bucs some breathing room in the race to win the NFC South, as the Bucs are a half-game up on Saints right now with a 4-2 record.
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This article appears in Oct 22-29, 2020.