With less than three days until the Oakland Raiders take the field for the first time this NFL season, the Antonio Brown drama has reached its summit. There have been a number of stories released over the last couple of days, but this morning according to reports, Brown officially requested a release. The controversial wide receiver published this on Instagram.
In his latest Instagram post, Antonio Brown says "release me Raiders."
(via AB/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/z3e2UjfN4d
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 7, 2019
According to the post, Brown finished his rant with the words “Release me Raiders.” Just prior to Noon EST, the Raiders granted his request and released him. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Brown has since agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots.
It all started a few days ago when news broke that Brown had confronted general manager Mike Mayock for having fined him for missing team activities. The team had sent Brown a letter explaining the reasoning behind the fines, which Brown then decided to post all over social media. The two were in a scuffle, and Brown needed to restrained by his teammates.
Antonio Brown posts his displeasure with fines from #Raiders pic.twitter.com/0OMhdwFu7K
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) September 4, 2019
Reports started to surface the Brown would be suspended. Then, Brown decided to apologize to his teams with his captains by his side. Gruden said that Brown would play this coming Monday night. Late last night, Brown released a professionally produced video of a phone call he had with his head coach.
Holy crap Antonio Brown just posted this to YouTube. pic.twitter.com/NOrLdo8uli
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dieter) September 7, 2019
This morning we learned that Brown had actually received two letters, one fining him $215,073 for conduct detrimental to the team stemming from the Wednesday incident, and another from Mayock notifying him if he’s released, he’s not eligible for termination pay. According to reports, because of the conduct detrimental to the team, the Raiders can void the 30 million guaranteed in his contract and also his 2019 base salary.
The #Raiders also say the conduct detrimental fine voids the guarantees in his contract. AB got a sizable raise from the #Raiders upon the trade from Pittsburgh, but they haven't paid him yet. Most of 2019 compensation is in a $14.625M base salary that's now in jeopardy.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2019
According to Jeff Darlington, Brown refuses to play if the team takes away his guarantees. If we look back at the contract dispute Brown had with the Steelers, guaranteed money was the receivers number one priority.
I just got an email from Antonio Brown. He tells me the team “took away my guarantees.” He added there’s “no way I play after they took that and made my contract week to week.” So at this moment, once again, don’t expect AB to play on Monday Night Football.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 7, 2019
Brown will not be subject to waivers and is free to sign with any team
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