This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
Antonio Brown's Oakland Odyssey Ends as He Heads to New England ¶
On September 7, 2019, Antonio Brown's long and strange trip in Oakland came to an end. The Raiders released their star wide receiver, ending the latest chapter in his brief but remarkably tumultuous tenure with the team.
Just hours before his release, Brown posted a message on his Instagram account saying that he was misunderstood and unappreciated, and wanted to move on. 'Release me @Raiders #NOMore,' he wrote.
Now Brown, who became one of the most gifted receivers in the league during his nine years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract with the New England Patriots, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
The Patriots did not respond to a request for comment. In general, players who agree to terms with a team must take a physical and sign their contract before they would be eligible to begin playing. That can take days. That means Brown, assuming he joins the Patriots, will not play on Sunday, when New England faces his old team, the Steelers.
The Raiders cut Brown because they were confident they do not have to pay the guaranteed portion of his $64 million contract. Brown's request to be released was likely an admission that he knew he would not receive any money guaranteed in his contract.
Published on September 8, 2019, at 1:54 a.m. ET, this episode raises questions about Coach Jon Gruden's command of the Raiders since signing a 10-year contract last year.
