The New Orleans Saints broke the 12 weeks of lack of league-wide interest in Antonio Brown. They hosted the wide receiver for a workout on Friday but did not sign him.
Brown has the talent to make the Saints' roster. That's not in question. However, what is in question is his eligibility to play.
The NFL is currently investigating Brown under its personal conduct policy due to a sexual assault case filed by his former trainer, Britney Taylor. She alleged that the 31-year-old, in multiple instances, sexually assaulted her. He was also accused of sexual assault by an artist who worked for him in his house in 2017. Those are on-top of his seemingly daily social media tirades.
After his release by the New England Patriots, the league did not place Brown on their commissioner’s exempt list while he was a free agent. However, they hinted at doing so if a club signed him.
Brown's relationship with the NFL pertaining to the sexual assault allegations, as well as his actions outside of them, gives the Saints pause to signing him, naturally. There is a genuine possibility that if he were signed, New Orleans could not field him in the postseason, making a contract a waste of time and cash.
According to Mike Triplett of ESPN, Saints coach Sean Payton is seeking clarity on the matter. They will not sign him if he is not eligible to play. He was noted that New Orleans was doing their “due diligence” in working out Brown.
What if Brown is eligible to play? Would the Saints sign him?
That's a clear yes.
Though New Orleans has a No. 1 wide-out in Michael Thomas — who is perhaps the NFL's best No. 1 — they still need help in their wide receiver corps. The Saints have not seen consistent production out of wide receivers without the Twitter handle @cantguardmike.
In terms of wide receivers, the drop-prone Ted Ginn is second on the Saints in receiving, catching 29 balls for 411 yards and two touchdowns. The oft-injured Tre'Quan Smith follows him, with 13 receptions for 178 yards and four touchdowns. They are fourth and eighth on the Saints roster in terms of receiving for all players, respectively. That's not going to cut it.
The Saints can get by with Ginn and Smith supplementing Thomas as receivers. However, it's still a weak spot on the team. Brown would change that. The seven-time Pro Bowler would give Drew Brees another imposing option to toss alongside Thomas.
Brown has not logged less than 1,280 yards in a full-season since 2012. Though a headache, he's one of the NFL's best receiving threats ever. Imagine pairing that up with Thomas. The Saints could achieve unstoppable status in the postseason.
Brown is not likely going to be eligible to play. But, if it happens, the Saints should be all over signing him.
