This is not how Raiders coach Jon Gruden planned things to work out when they burned two draft picks for Antonio Brown. All of the noise that Brown and the team made over social media was not something they needed.
However, they had to do what had to be done. They released the outspoken wideout just before the start of their season. The New England Patriots immediately signed Brown for a one-year, $15-million deal.
The media naturally asked Gruden about the move and how he feels about Brown. The Raiders coach was professional and cordial when it came to the divorce.
“We just have exhausted everything,” head coach Jon Gruden told reporters of Brown's release Saturday, per CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan. “We tried every way possible to make it work. And all I'm gonna say is it's disappointing. I'm really proud of our players, our coaches, our owner, our front office. We did everything we could to make this work and I'm sorry it didn't. I apologize, but I'll tell you, I'm very proud of what we did as an organization to try.
“I wish Antonio the best. I'm sorry we never got a chance to see him in silver and black. Very disappointing in my career as a coach. I looked forward to coaching him but it's not going to happen. I'm not going to sit here and talk about it all day. We've got 12 rookies, we've got a lot to be excited about I wish Antonio the very best.”
Brown didn't play a single snap in silver and black, but fans will definitely remember his short, chaotic affair with the Raiders — for the wrong reasons — for years to come.
Oakland fans may probably hate him for the unnecessary drama he brought, but that's the nature of the sport. Things don't necessarily go as planned. And so Gruden and the Raiders must move on.
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