Signing Antonio Brown would be worth the risk for these five NFL teams.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown turned 32 years old on Friday, July 10. But as training camp is set to ramp up for the 2020 NFL season, the pass-catcher who has over 11,000 yards and 75 touchdowns over his 10 seasons, including six straight 1,200+ yard seasons, is not on an NFL roster. There, of course, is good reason as to why.
Near the end of his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brown’s behavior started to appear erratic. That took a worse turn after he was traded to the then-Oakland Raiders, including a holdout over a helmet and frostbite on his feet from botched cryotherapy. Then his one-game stint with the New England Patriots ended when sexual assault allegations arose.
Despite all of this, the on-field talent of Antonio Brown remains undeniable. Even in that single game with the Pats, he showed he can still get it done with four receptions, 56 yards and a touchdown. So it’s no wonder that there is a growing buzz around the league that an NFL team could potentially ink the wide receiver to a deal.
Make no mistake, signing Brown at this point would be a massive risk. He undoubtedly faces a suspension upon his return to the NFL due to the sexual assault investigation by the league and pleading no contest to other charges in Florida. Yet, for the right team, he could be worth the risk. Specifically, these five NFL teams should take the risk and sign Antonio Brown for the 2020 season.
5. Philadelphia Eagles should sign Antonio Brown
Though selecting Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft rubbed many Eagles fans the wrong way, it highlighted Philadelphia’s need at the position. So too did the later-round addition of John Hightower. But even with those young players joining Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, they could possibly use more.
Last season, the top-three leading pass-catchers for the Eagles were not wide receivers. And while part of that is due to the undeniable talent of Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, it also speaks to the lack of effectiveness they’ve experienced from their wide receivers.
Even with the newcomers via the draft, the Eagles could use a veteran target who’s proven he can be a consistent force in an NFL passing offense if they want to defend the NFC East title. Though he may not be available to begin the season, upon his reinstatement and return, Brown could be that for Philadelphia.