Buccaneers, Antonio Brown reach one-year agreement
The Buccaneers and wide receiver Antonio Brown have reached an agreement on a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Â
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
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the deal was finalized on Saturday morning and Brown will receive “slightly over” the league minimum on his one-year deal. The contract will include personal and playoff incentives.
Want $250 to bet on NFL Week 7?
According to multiple reports, Brown flew to Tampa on Friday and will visit the club on Saturday. The Houston Chronicle‘s Aaron Wilson previously reported that Brown’s visit to Tampa was expected to culminate in him reaching an agreement with the team.
AB gets 1 year slightly over the minimum, per @MikeGarafolo, with a chance to earn more in incentives. Some personal incentives and some playoff incentives. https://t.co/inu9dsiBCz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 24, 2020
Rapoport added on Friday that the possible deal is believed to have a significant upside for Brown. NFL Network adds that Bucs quarterback Tom Brady has been pushing for the deal. It is possible he would be eligible to play in Week 9 when Tampa Bay hosts the Saints.
Earlier this week, ESPN reported that the Seahawks were also one of the teams looking at potentially signing the free-agent wide receiver. They remain a possibility, per ESPN.
Read: Denver Broncos Have Chance to get into AFC Playoff Picture vs Chiefs
Brown is nearing the end of his eight-game suspension. His suspension was issued this summer as a result of multiple violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Brown also missed most of the 2019 season after New England released him in September, and he has repeatedly stated his desire to return to the NFL. This past offseason, Tampa Bay was one of the teams that was rumored to have had discussions about adding Brown.
In January 2019, Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians said he was not a fan of the changes he’d observed of Brown when the receiver was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Brown played with Arians while he was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.
The Bucs enter Week 7 at 17th in the NFL in passing yards and sixth in passing touchdowns.
Wide receiver Chris Godwin has struggled with injuries throughout the first part of the season, appearing in just three games thus far. Wide receiver Mike Evans leads the Bucs with 281 receiving yards and six scores this year.
The Buccaneers play Las Vegas this Sunday.
