The defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the release of Antonio Brown on Thursday, four days after the veteran receiver had an odd meltdown on the sideline against the New York Jets. This news also comes one day after Brown shared his own statement, saying that he was playing injured, under team knowledge, and will soon undergo ankle surgery.
Why Brown exited Sunday's game during the second half has been debated, and allegations regarding his ankle injury are at the forefront. While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Bucs head coach Bruce Arians addressed Brown's release, saying that the incident stemmed from Brown's frustration over his lack of targets. Brown contends that Tampa Bay pressured him to play hurt. Further details and accusations paint a rather complicated picture.
"This story shouldn't be delivered straight. It's so ridiculous. The social media part of it, the competing statements, the screengrab texts," Maggie Gray said during the Maggie and Perloff show on Thursday. "We could go full forensics on it, and try to solve this like a 'Law & Order' episode. I just don't know how you look at this and either roll your eyes, at this point.
"If Brown actually has issues with mental health, as Tom Brady has alluded to, and this is all part of one big meltdown, there's no doubt this can take a very sad turn. You can argue it's maybe taken a sad turn already... I get it, because [targets are] their livelihood. If you're not getting targeted, you're basically just out there jogging... But Brown never said anything about the targets."
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Brown's issues with Tampa Bay started last week, when his request for $1 million in contract incentives to be guaranteed was denied. Brown's year has been chock-full of drama and chaos. In December, he received a three-game suspension by the league or violating protocols and obtaining a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. As for his ankle, Brown did miss several games this past fall due to the injury.
Tampa Bay (12-4), which recently clinched its first NFC South title since 2007, will host the rival Carolina Panthers (5-11) in a regular season finale on Sunday. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Bucs have a 9-percent chance to repeat as Super Bowl champions. In seven games played this season, Brown caught 42 passes for 545 yards with four touchdowns.
Maggie and Perloff's complete thoughts on the Brown-Buccaneers situation can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.