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The New England Patriots released former Steelers’ wide receiver Antonio Brown on Friday.
The Patriots have released WR Antonio Brown.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 20, 2019
According to NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots felt it was best to move in another direction away from Brown.
A statement from the #Patriots: “The New England Patriots are releasing Antonio Brown. We appreciate the hard work of many people over the past 11 days, but we feel that it is best to move in a different direction at this time.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2019
This past Sunday, Brown caught four passes on eight targets for 56 yards and a 20-yard touchdown. Brown spent the preseason with the Oakland Raiders after being traded there from the Steelers for 2019 third round and fifth round draft picks. The Steelers subsequently drafted wide receiver Diontae Johnson who is projected to start this Sunday in San Francisco, as well as tight end prospect Zach Gentry who is on the Steelers 53-man roster but has yet to be active for a game.
As for the financial ramifications of signing and then releasing Brown, Dale Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports had an interesting take on how the money was spent by the New England Patriots.
The Patriots paid Antonio Brown $10 million for one game. And that also works out to about $20 per question Belichick was asked about him in the past two weeks. Good investment. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) September 20, 2019
Accusations continue to come in against Brown for various types of misconduct and sexual assault. The most recent incident involved intimidating text messages released which were sent to one of the accusers.
It is uncertain as to whether or not Antonio Brown will get another opportunity to play in the NFL in 2019 or beyond. Even if he is signed by another team, there is the possibility he could end up on the commissioners exempt list due to conduct detrimental to the league.