The Oakland Raiders released Antonio Brown on Saturday, and apparently, Raiders players are happy about it.
Raiders offensive player in text to me: “Everyone is happy he’s gone. We’re tired of the drama. Time for us to be a team again.”
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) September 7, 2019
Go ahead and take your guesses on who it may be.
Brown took to Instagram on Saturday morning to request his release from the Raiders after Oakland voided the $30 million he was guaranteed, making his contract a week-to-week deal. Oakland then met his request.
Article Continues BelowIt has been a tumultuous week in what has been a tumultuous offseason overall for Brown. Earlier in the week, the wide receiver was hit with a $54,000 fine for missing some time during training camp. Displeased with the penalty, Brown posted the fine letter the Raiders sent him on Instagram.
The 31-year-old then confronted Oakland general manager Mike Mayock at practice on Wednesday in a heated dispute that nearly turned physical before linebacker Vontaze Burfict stepped in and restrained him. The Raiders debated whether or not they should suspend Brown, with some suggesting that Oakland should void his guaranteed money and then release him.
Brown apologized to the team on Friday, and afterward, it was announced that he would be playing in the Raiders' season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday night. But, apparently, there were some strings attached, strings that Brown was none too happy with.
Oakland originally acquired Brown in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers back in March, sending a third- and a fifth-round draft picks to the Steelers. Brown, who led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2018, spent his first nine NFL seasons in Pittsburgh, making seven Pro Bowl appearances.