ALAMEDA — The Oakland Raiders have released disgruntled star receiver Antonio Brown before he ever played a game for the team.
The Raiders announced the decision Saturday, hours after he requested his release in the latest turn in a dramatic first summer with the team. Oakland opens its season Monday night against the Denver Broncos.
Move Leaves Carr Without a Top Wide Receiver
This means Raiders quarterback Derek Carr won’t have his projected top receiver against the Broncos on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1.
The 31-year-old Brown was upset about his latest team fine over an outburst at practice at general manager Mike Mayock. That fine allowed the Raiders to void more than $29 million in guarantees over the next two years in Brown’s contract.
Oakland then decided to cut ties entirely. The Raiders had been counting heavily on Brown after trading a third and fifth-round pick to Pittsburgh for him. They also gave Brown a new three-year contract worth $50.1 million that is void following his release.
Brown Mired in Controversies
Brown had 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season but burned his bridges with the team. At the time of his March acquisition by the Raiders, it was considered a cheap price for someone with Brown’s talents, but also a gamble because of his unpredictable behavior.
Brown missed practice this summer after burning his feat during a cryotherapy session. He then missed more practice while settling a helmet dispute with the NFL. Brown then allegedly punted a football at practice and got into an argument with Mayock over a fine.
The Raiders said that Brown’s actions constituted “conduct detrimental to the team,” enabling the team to void the guaranteed money in his contract. Brown responded by asking for his release Saturday morning.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
