The Las Vegas Raiders are eager to move past the Antonio Brown saga. In the 2019 offseason, they acquired the star wide receiver from the Pittsburgh Steelers amidst considerable anticipation of his impact on the team.
However, the offseason swiftly turned tumultuous, leading to Brown’s release by the Raiders without him ever taking the field for them. Despite his brief tenure with the team, Brown persists in taunting the franchise. In a post shared on April 24 by Brown’s CTESPN Network, the former All-Pro declared his retirement as a member of the Raiders.
It’s evident that he’s joking, as for him to “officially” retire as a member of the organization, the Raiders would need to sign him to a one-day contract, which seems unlikely given his behavior during his time with the team.
Brown’s intentions can be difficult to discern, as he often blurs the line between seriousness and humor. Since 2021, he hasn’t been on an NFL roster, and it’s unlikely that a team, especially the Raiders, would be willing to give him another opportunity, considering his past conduct.
Has Antonio Brown Truly Retired?
As Antonio Brown continues to taunt the Raiders, his recent post on X raises doubts about his retirement status. Despite maintaining physical fitness, Brown, now 35, is considered older for a wide receiver, especially after being out of play for two seasons.
Even if he hasn’t formally retired, it seems his NFL career is effectively over. The chances of another team signing him again are slim, despite his past status as one of the league’s top wide receivers and his potential Hall of Fame trajectory.
Nevertheless, his behavior has alienated several franchises, and his skill level no longer justifies overlooking his past actions. Consequently, it’s highly improbable that Brown will return to an NFL field. While he could explore options in leagues like the USFL or other professional football leagues, such a move seems unlikely at this point.
