Six things to know about the Raiders releasing wide receiver Antonio Brown
The Antonio Brown Era is over in Oakland and while he didn’t play in a game, his time there will long be remembered.
This week in particular has been wild, capped Saturday by the Raiders releasing Brown.
Earlier in the week, Brown angered Raiders general manager Mike Mayock by sharing a letter informing Brown of a fine on Instagram.
At practice on Wednesday, Brown reportedly called Mayock “a cracker” and added some “curse words,” ESPN reported.
On Thursday, the Raiders reportedly were poised to suspend Brown, but he apologized to the team on Friday and coach Jon Gruden told reporters the plan was for Brown to play Monday night.
The storm seemed to pass, but on Friday night Brown posted a video on YouTube that appeared to include a recorded conversation with Gruden. You can watch the video here, but be warned that there is cursing.
On Saturday morning, Brown asked for his release in an Instagram post, writing: “Now that everyone sees it, they want me to conform to that same system that has failed me all those years. ‘I’m not mad at anyone. I’m just asking for the freedom to prove them all wrong.’ Release me @raiders”
He got his wish and here are six things to know about the situation:
1. Another fine
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported the Raiders sent Brown two letters. One fined him $215,073 for conduct detrimental to the team following Wednesday’s incident at practice.
2. No guaranteed money
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Brown is no longer entitled to the guaranteed money in his contract.
3. Brown may not get his bonus either
Sportrac, which has information on the contracts of professional athletes, said Brown’s bonus money also may not be paid.
4. Raiders players not upset
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr told his brother David that the team has to prepare that Brown might not play. “There’s a relief, honestly, that he might not be there,” David Carr said. “Because quite honestly, it’s been better practices when he’s not there. When AB has not been around the building, there has been a lack of just complete insanity.”
5. Brown wants to continue playing
It didn’t take long for Brown’s agent to make a statement.
6. Raiders receiving core is thin
Here is how Brown’s absence leaves the Raiders receiving corps:
This story was originally published September 7, 2019 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Six things to know about the Raiders releasing wide receiver Antonio Brown."