Getty The Saints are working out Antonio Brown.
Antonio Brown could sign with the New Orleans Saints just in time for the NFL playoffs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown is in New Orleans to work out with the Saints as the team does “due diligence” on the wide receiver.
“Free-agent WR Antonio Brown is in New Orleans this morning, working out for the Saints, per source. Saints are doing their due diligence,” Schefter tweeted.
Brown posted a workout waiver he signed with the Saints noting he was “back to business.”
Free agent WR Antonio Brown is visiting the New Orleans #Saints today, source confirms as Brown posted on Instagram. Here is his waiver he posted
Even If AB Signs With Saints, His Playing Status for the Playoffs Is in Doubt
As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted, there is no guarantee that Brown would be able to play in the postseason even if he is signed by the Saints. With the NFL investigation still ongoing, Brown would likely be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list.
“Important note: The NFL has made clear that if someone signs AB, he’s likely headed to the Commissioner’s Exempt list until his investigation is complete,” Rapoport explained on Twitter.
Rapoport noted on Good Morning Football that Brown is unlikely to play this season even if he is signed by the Saints or another team. The only exception would be if the NFL investigation is concluded in time for the playoffs. Brown posted a series of vague tweets on the day the workout was slated to take place.
“Only God can judge me…BOOMIN…The legacy continues,” Brown noted in three consecutive tweets.
The Saints Have a Chance at the No. 1 Seed in the NFC
The Saints are one of the top teams in the NFC and have a chance to be the No. 1 seed in the conference. New Orleans already has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL even without Brown. If Brown somehow becomes eligible to play, the Saints would have the best offense in the league with the receiver being added to a number of weapons including Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. Rapoport provided further clarification on the likelihood Brown could potentially play in the NFL this season.
“From @gmfb: The #Saints are working out FA WR Antonio Brown today. He is not currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt list. The NFL said this season, “If he is signed by a club, such placement may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation,” Rapoport tweeted.
Brown was traded by the Steelers to the Raiders over the offseason but the receiver never played a down in Oakland. The Raiders released Brown at the beginning of the season, and he was quickly signed by the Patriots. Brown played one game for the Patriots before the team also released the receiver amidst sexual assault allegations.
Brown has threatened to retire from the NFL on multiple occasions but appears to still have a desire to play again. It will be interesting to see if Brown plays for his third NFL team in one season.