Biggest Winners and Losers From Antonio Brown Situation

Antonio Brown left the field and took off his jersey in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers comeback win over the New York Jets on Sunday, and that is the last time that we will see him in said jersey. 

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians revealed postgame that Browns is no longer a part of the team after his actions in Week 17. 

From a talent perspective, it is a blow to a Buccaneers offense that is already down Chris Godwin for the season and is without Leonard Fournette.

However, there’s a chance that this could do the Bucs some good, as the team won’t have to deal with any distractions from Brown had Arians decided to keep him on the roster. 

Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers from AB’s exit from Tampa Bay. 

WINNER: Green Bay Packers

The Packers were the favorites in the NFC entering Week 17 at WynnBET Sportsbook, and things should remain that way if they can take care of business in Week 17. 

The bigger win for the Packers is that there is much less firepower in the Bucs receiving core going forward if these two teams meet in the playoffs. Green Bay’s secondary doomed it last season in the NFC title game, so only having to deal with Mike Evans, Rob Gronkowski and Tyler Johnson (?) on the outside should make things easier on the Pack. 

LOSER: Tom Brady

Look, Brady came back against the Jets with a makeshift receiving core, but the competition is going to be much stiffer in the playoffs. 

We saw Brady struggle when his weapons went down against the New Orleans Saints, and depending on which team the Bucs get matched up with, there could be a bad matchup for Brady in the first round. 

You can’t count out TB12 in any scenario, but the Bucs simply don’t have a comparable weapon to replace Brown or Godwin in this offense. 

WINNER: Bucs First Round Opponent in NFC Playoffs

It doesn’t matter which team the Bucs play in their first playoff matchup, the loss of Brown is a win for any defense game planning for Tampa Bay. 

Mike Evans has been banged up as of late as well, so Tom Brady’s weapons are hanging by a thread entering the playoffs. This won’t be the same team we saw in the postseason last year. 

LOSER: Bruce Arians

Bruce Arians gave Antonio Brown another shot, even after he was suspended for using a fake vaccination card, and it blew up in his face. 

I give Arians credit for trying to help Brown resurrect his career, but even winning a Super Bowl last season wasn’t enough to keep AB happy in Tampa. 

This is going to put Arians in a tough spot to find answers at receiver on the rest of the roster. 

WINNER: Tyler Johnson

Since Chris Godwin was ruled out for the season, former fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson has been listed as a starter for the Bucs. 

The youngster has a chance to really make a name for himself playing with Brady down the stretch of this season, as he is going to have a major role if the Bucs want to make a deep run. 

Don’t sleep on Johnson in the prop market the rest of this season and postseason.