Antonio Brown and the Buccaneers are still yet to sign a deal. However, the Bucs may not be the only ones interested in Brown.
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The Seahawks, led by Russell Wilson, are recruiting the current free agent to perhaps consider a change in scenery. Of course, Brown has indicated that he would like to be back with the Buccaneers, but nothing is set in stone.
Brown also has a special connection with Bucs QB Tom Brady, and may not want to leave that behind. However, the Buccaneers are seriously strapped for cash. Jason Licht was able to maneuver around the salary cap quite cleverly as he locked up Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Shaquil Barrett, and Rob Gronkowski.
Tom Brady also restructured his contract to ensure the Bucs would have enough money to make these moves, but they may be running out now.
If that’s the case, the Bucs may not be able to offer Brown the contract he desires, which could lead to turmoil. Thus, could we see Brown playing somewhere else next year?
On the Pat McAfee show, NFL news reporter Ian Rapoport said he should. Assuming the Seahawks can offer Brown a good deal, he may “have to just take it.”
“If Antonio Brown is going to get a real legit deal from the #Seahawks he might have to go because his deal with Tampa Bay I think is going to be a little bit of a prove it type situation”@RapSheet on AB’s free agent status #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/GY0H3F6A2d
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 22, 2021
Where could Brown go if he decides to leave? Here’s a look at three potential suitors
Antonio Brown Next NFL Team In 2021-22 Season Top 3 Destinations
#1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Of course, the biggest target on Brown’s list is probably to just return with Tampa Bay. They just won the Super Bowl, giving Brown the first ring of his career.
More than that, Brown’s connection with quarterback Tom Brady is not something to be overlooked. Brady took Brown under his wing. The former superstar was dealing with a lot off-the-field, and Brady helped settle him down.
In fact, Brown’s antics had almost driven him off from the league entirely. Teams weren’t exactly jumping at the prospect of signing a “diva”, and nobody was sure about his production.
Of course, Brady was willing to take that chance off of just one game together in New England a year ago. And my-oh-my did it work out for them.
Sure, Brown may not have been the receiving monster he once was during the 2010’s, but his addition definitely gave the Buccaneers a very deep receiving core.
Brown would even average a very decent 60.4 yards per game in 8 games and 4 starts. He tacked on four touchdowns as well as he gave the Bucs yet another weapon to work with.
At this point in career, Brown is looking for stability. That’s the biggest thing the Buccaneers can offer him right now. Brown has made connections with the coaching staff and his teammates, and if he wants to preserve that sense of community and continuity, then there’s no choice more obvious than Tampa Bay.
#2. Seattle Seahawks
If the Seahawks pursuing Brown sounds familiar to you, that’s because it is. Nearly a year ago when Brown was reinstated, Seattle was extremely active in trying to sign him.
Needless to say, a lot of that had to do with Russell Wilson. Wilson worked out with Brown during the summer, and clearly he thought there was a connection there that could translate to an NFL season together.
Ultimately, the Bucs swooped in and stole Brown away, but those memories of Wilson and Brown training together probably haven’t faded from Wilson’s memory yet.
Wilson has been pushing the organization to sign Brown as that would solidify an already strong wide receiving group led by D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
Metcalf is coming off a breakout season in which he earned All-Pro honors by hauling in 83 catches for 1,303 yards with 10 touchdowns while Tyler Lockett snagged 100 receptions for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns as well. Adding Brown would give Wilson another deep threat, and we all know that Wilson’s deep ball is one of the best in the league.
Whether the Seahawks listen to Wilson is still to be seen. Wilson is already frustrated with the team as trade rumors swelled this offseason. If the Seahawks don’t appease him here, they may be in for more drama next season and off-season.
#3. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens tried to go after every big name free agent wide receiver this offseason. Ultimately, they failed. So, why not go after Brown too?
Like Wilson, Jackson also had the chance to train with Antonio Brown last offseason. Even then, the former MVP was hoping the Ravens would take a chance on the receiver. And why wouldn’t he wish that?
The Ravens are a run-first team, but that doesn’t mean that Jackson can’t air the ball out. Right now Jackson’s primary target is Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, but Brown still has some developing to do before he can be called a star in the league. Other than him, tight end Mark Andrews is the biggest pass-catching threat for Baltimore.
The Ravens could do with an upgrade and bringing Brown in would certainly work wonders for their passing game. Jackson wants a top-tier receiver, but after missing on Kenny Golladay, Will Fuller, and Curtis Samuel, the best the Ravens can do is at least go after someone who can give you decent production like Brown can. He proved that last year.
However, Baltimore’s run-heavy scheme may also deter Brown from wanting to sign there, and it may be why the Ravens have been unlucky in the free agent market this year. After all, the Ravens are a playoff contender year-in and year-out, why else wouldn’t wide receivers want to sign there?
Where Will Antonio Brown Sign?
Brown has a lot of decisions to make in the coming weeks. Ideally, it seems like he’d want to be back in Tampa Bay, but if the money goes south or another team makes a stronger push, then you never know.
For now, it’s a waiting game
