Antonio Brown could be back for another season in Tampa Bay.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on Sunday that the Buccaneers want the troubled receiver to return in 2021 after making a positive impact down the stretch. He’s set to become a free agent after the season.
Brown, 32, officially joined the team in the Buccaneers’ Week 9 clash with New Orleans on the heels of a drama-laden year. The seven-time Pro Bowler began the 2019 season as a member of the Raiders and was released before Week 1. He played one game for the Patriots before multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced. He spent the remainder of the 2019 season as a permanent fixture in the news due to social media outbursts and various off-the-field scandals.
Quarterback Tom Brady was a staunch advocate for Brown to join his new squad, which likely influenced their willingness to extend a one-year, $1 million deal with $1.5 million in incentives. The Miami native appeared in the Buccaneers’ final eight games and caught 45 passes for 483 yards and four touchdowns and has been a “model citizen,” according to head coach Bruce Arians.
Brown played in both of Tampa Bay’s playoff games thus far and caught two of three targets for 49 yards and a touchdown against the Washington and one of three targets for 10 yards against New Orleans. The Buccaneers announced on Friday that Brown will miss the NFC Championship game against the Packers due to a knee injury.
The Central Michigan product has 886 receptions for 11,746 receiving yards and 79 touchdowns through 139 regular-season appearances since entering the NFL as the Steelers’ sixth-round pick in 2010. He led the league in receiving yards and receptions twice and is a four-time first-team All-Pro.