Antonio Brown to the Buccaneers is now official. On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they had signed seven-time Pro Bowler. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old Brown was suspended eight games by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and can return in Week 9.
In Tampa Bay, Brown will be reunited with Tom Brady and Bruce Arians, his offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, which should help him.
The 10-year veteran, released by the Raiders and Patriots last season, ranks in the top five all-time in receptions per game (second, 6.4) and receiving yards per game (fourth, 86.0) players with at least 50 games played. Also, he ranks 28th in NFL history in receptions (841), 29th in receiving yards (11,263), and tied for 35th in receiving touchdowns (75).
Over 131 regular season games for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-18) and New England Patriots (2019), including 103 starts, Brown recorded 841 receptions for 11,263 receiving yards and 75 receiving touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per catch. He owns the longest streak in league history with 35-consecutive regular season games with at least five catches and 50-or-more receiving yards. He has recorded seven seasons with 1,000-or-more receiving yards, six seasons with 100-plus receptions, and four seasons with 10-or-more touchdown receptions.
With Chris Godwin out with a fractured finger and Mike Evans struggling with an ankle injury, Brown can help. In addition, when right, they’re not many wide receivers better than Brown. We’ll see what happens, but this move seems like a win-win for Tampa Bay. If Brown behaves, Tampa Bay gets a great football player. If not, they can cut him and move on.
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