Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers plans to release Antonio Brown later today.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have terminated the contract of Antonio Brown effective immediately. While Antonio did receive treatment on his ankle and was listed on the injury report the week leading up to last Sunday’s game, he was cleared to play by our medical team prior to the start of the game and at no point during the game did he indicate to our medical personnel that he could not play,” a statement from the Buccaneers reads.
“We have attempted, multiple times through this week, to schedule an evaluation by an outside orthopedic specialist, yet Antonio has not complied. Maintaining the health and wellness of our players is of the utmost importance to our organization.”
Tampa Bay’s decision to release Brown comes four days after the star wide receiver abruptly left the team during its Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. Prior to Brown’s departure from MetLife Stadium, he was on the brink of capturing three incentives on his contract that would have totaled nearly $1 million. Now, it appears that he will not receive those performance-based incentives.
“Last week, Antonio Brown and his agent requested that the remaining $2 million in incentives in his contract for this season be guaranteed, per Bucs’ GM Jason Licht. The team declined to guarantee those incentives,” Schefter added.
At this time, it is unclear if another team will look to sign Brown before the playoffs begin later this month.
