What a difference few hours make.

Antonio Brown is now officially a member of the New England Patriots, having signed a one-year deal with the reigning Super Bowl champions that could be worth as much as $15 million. The six-time Pro Bowler woke up on Saturday, though, as a member of the Oakland Raiders – at least until the silver and black granted his request to be released.

Here's how Brown reacted to finding out out he was freed from the shackles of his contract with the Raiders, courtesy of ESPN's Adam Schefter.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1170448141344223233

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Considering his unmitigated joy at being waived, it seems even more likely that a separation between Brown and the Raiders was always going to be best for both parties. The rapid end of his tenure with Oakland, though, makes it easy to forget that less than 24 hours ago it appeared the sides had mended fences.

After word spread on Friday that the Raiders were going to release him in wake of Brown posting notice of his fine from the club on Instagram, things quickly took a turn for the better. The six-time Pro Bowler reportedly apologized to his teammates at a meeting, with captains like Derek Carr flanking him, leading Jon Gruden to tell reporters that his team's superstar wide receiver would indeed play in the season-opener on Monday night. Brown subsequently posted a video on social media featuring a phone call between he and the Raiders' coach, another sign that player and team were ready to move on.

Wrong.

Antonio Brown is better off playing for another team, and Oakland is better off having parted ways with a player who was a constant distraction. The real winner here, though? New England, of course.