Antonio Brown.Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Antonio Brownis sticking around Tampa Bay.
The 32-year-old wide receiver and free agent has signed a one-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that is worth up to $6.25 million, his agent told NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero on Wednesday.
Per Brown’s agent, the star athlete’s deal is reportedly worth $3.1 million guaranteed, as well as a $2 million signing bonus.
Brown now officially reunites with fellow Buccaneers stars and outgoing Super Bowl championsTom Brady, whosigned a contract extension through 2022as quarterback for Tampa Bay, andRob Gronkowski, whosigned a 1-year, $10 million dealto return as tight end.
Last season, Brown did not record a single drop and produced the highest yards after catch of any Buccaneers receiver, according toESPN.
Antonio Brown.Mike Ehrmann/Getty
Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians told reporters that Browndeserved a “second chance"when he was initially signed last year. Arians also disputed speculation that Brady — who previously played with Brown for the Patriots — had anything to do with his recruitment.
“I think he’s matured, and I believe in second chances,” Arians told reporters,according toUSA Today. “Everybody wants to say that Tom [Brady] picked him. Tom didn’t have anything to do with it. This was something [Bucs general manager Jason Licht] and I had been talking (about) for a couple weeks, ever since the injuries to our other guys. When the time was right, would we see if we could pull the trigger and fit him in to what we want to get done? And we’ll see. If Antonio does what I think he’s gonna do, I think he’s gonna be fine.”
Brady also spoke out about Brown at the time, telling reporters that the athlete is a “tremendous football player” and that he’s “looking forward to working with him again.”
Tom Brady, Antonio Brown.Eric Espada/Getty
Brown has since reached a settlement with his accuser, Britney Taylor, according toSports IllustratedandESPN. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
“Having reflected on their relationship, both feel that the time has come to move on,” Taylor’s attorney, David Haas, said in a statementto ESPNearlier this month. “Antonio is grateful for Britney’s excellent training assistance. They are pleased that Antonio is doing so well with the Bucs and has a ring. Their dispute is resolved and they wish each other great continued success.”
source: people.com
