Wide receiver Antonio Brown recorded at least 100 receptions from 2013 to 2018 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Few could imagine back then that Brown would go on the path he’s traveled the past three years or that he’d have interest in playing for the rival Baltimore Ravens. Nevertheless, here we are.
Brown made a recent appearance on the I Am Athlete podcast and said he’d like to play with Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson next.
“Who’s next in line for you?” Former NFL receiver and podcast host Brandon Marshall asked Brown.
“Lamar Jackson,” Brown replied. “Action Jackson. Let’s give Lamar Jackson his flowers. Shoutout Lamar Jackson. He’s a great quarterback throwing the ball and the dynamic that he’s playing.”
Like Jackson, Brown is from the Miami area. He worked with Jackson and Ravens receiver Marquis ‘Hollywood’ Brown before the start of the 2020 season.
“I’d be happy if they signed him,” Jackson said via The Baltimore Sun. “He’s a great player. He showed it each and every year he was with the Steelers in the past. But you know, it’s not my decision.”
Brown was traded from the Steelers to the Oakland Raiders in 2019. He demanded a trade from the Raiders soon after joining the team and was subsequently released. The New England Patriots picked him up but released him following allegations of sexual and personal misconduct.
Brown was signed by the Buccaneers in 2020 after missing the first eight games of the season due to a suspension for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He caught 45 passes for 483 yards and two touchdowns in the final eight games of the regular season and helped Tampa win the Super Bowl.
Through seven games this past season, Brown caught 42 passes for 545 yards and four scores through seven games in 2021.
Brown’s contract was teminated by the Buccaneers earlier this month after he removed his helmet and jersey and ran off the field during a 28-24 win over the New York Jets.
The Ravens could surely utilize Brown’s playmaking ability in the passing game. If Brown were to sign with the Ravens, he’d join Marquise Brown, Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins, Devin Duvernay, Miles Boykin and Tylan Wallace.
Of those group, Brown has the best career numbers and would be a likely favorite receiver of Jackson’s. However, the question remains, does the on-field production outweigh potential off the field demarcations?