Raiders Release WR Antonio Brown

The Oakland Raiders announced Saturday that they’ve officially released WR Antonio Brown.

The Raiders have released WR Antonio Brown from the team today.

— Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) September 7, 2019

Brown tested Ian Rapoport the following regarding his release: “Told me do not come in Thursday. Bad my name. Then come work, give two papers after the press conference. No guaranteed no way.”

Brown requested his release earlier in the day in an Instagram post after the Raiders made the decision to void the $29.125 million worth of guaranteed money included in his contract. 

The Raiders elected to fine Brown for the incident involving GM Mike Mayock.

Had Oakland kept Brown on the roster as of the 4 pm EST roster deadline today, it would have created a complicated grievance process. Obviously, the Raiders felt it was best to simply move on now and shift their sole focus to Monday’s game against the Broncos. 

Last night, Brown posted a video on Youtube of a recorded conversation between him and HC Jon Gruden. 

Brown, 31, is a former sixth-round pick of the Steelers back in 2010. He was in the third year of his five-year, $72.71 million contract when the Steelers traded him to the Raiders back in March. 

The Raiders later signed Brown to a new contract worth $50.125 million and includes $30.125 million guaranteed.  

In 2018, Brown appeared in 15 games for the Steelers and caught 104 passes for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 26 receiver out of 117 qualifying players.