Report: Antonio Brown, Buccaneers Reach Agreement on One-Year Contract

Brown is likely to join the team in Week 9

Antonio Brown
Antonio Brown in 2019.
John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Antonio Brown’s 2019 season took a shape that few could have foreseen — which included an accusation of sexual assault and the New England Patriots signing and then cutting ties with the wide receiver. The question of whether Brown would play at all in 2020 loomed over the season, given that Brown faced a suspension for the first half of the season.

Still, rumors persisted about potential destinations for him — including one from this year’s combine that suggested that Tom Brady was looking to reunite with Brown. As it turns out, that rumor was more accurate than one might expect: on Friday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had agreed to terms for a one-year deal.

ESPN’s article on the subject noted that the deal isn’t finalized, as Brown still has to contend with COVID-19 protocols. Assuming he passes, however, he’ll be set to join the team in Week 9, when they play the New Orleans Saints on November 8.

As ESPN’s report notes, the Buccaneers have faced several injuries to their existing group of wide receivers this season; combine that with Brady’s eagerness to work with Brown again and you have a situation mutually beneficial to both parties.

According to the report, the Seattle Seahawks had also expressed an interest in signing Brown prior to Tampa Bay finalizing the deal.

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