5 NFL teams who could sign Antonio Brown
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady was apparently not too happy with the Patriots’ decision to cut Brown last year, and he wanted a reunion somewhere this offseason if it were plausible. Speculation attaching Brown to the Buccaneers resurfaced recently, but it would take quite a pivot from head coach Bruce Arians.
Here's what Bruce Arians said to @TikiBarber in March about rumors Bucs might add Antonio Brown: "Yeah, it's not gonna happen. There's no room. And probably not enough money. But it's not gonna happen. It's not a fit here." And they've drafted Tyler Johnson since he said that. https://t.co/8SVypaxF3z
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) June 30, 2020
Arians’ last two years as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator were the first two years of Brown’s career (2010 and 2011), so that history is surely informing the coach’s stance now. The Buccaneers are all-in to win over the next two years with Brady under contract, which opens the door to all possibilities in terms of who could be traded for or signed. But at this point, it’s a small (and maybe dwindling?) percentage chance that Brown is on the radar.
However, there is a chance that Brown lands in Tampa Bay. While it was hardly a concrete report, the “rumblings” of the Buccaneers’ interest that Michael Lombardi of The Athletic passed along in late June are unlikely to be have been plucked from thin air with no credible source. If it’s not working out, the Buccaneers can cut ties with Brown with no consequence as long as they do it right.
When it comes down to it, right or wrong, if Brady wants to make a case to bring Brown in, Arians’ trepidation will take a back seat.