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According to wide receiver Antonio Brown’s Twitter account, the talented veteran wideout has been released by the Patriots — a fact that was confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shortly after.
Thanks for the opportunity appreciate @Patriots pic.twitter.com/envfHEd6N8
— AB (@AB84) September 20, 2019
The #Patriots have released WR Antonio Brown, as he indicated on Twitter. They have moved on.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2019
After one game and almost two weeks of wild news cycles, the 10-year NFL star is once again without a team after SI’s Robert Klemko’s reporting from Thursday evening that Brown sent menacing text messages to a second sexual misconduct accuser.
After a brief opening statement at today’s press conference, head coach Bill Belichick fielded seven questions regarding Brown’s status on the roster before cutting out of the session early, clearly not pleased with the line of questioning.
The precise details of how Brown’s release will effect the Patriots’ 2019 salary cap aren’t yet known, but Boston Sports Journal’s Miguel Benzan did provide some helpful information.
What I do know about Antonio Brown.
— Cap Space=$1,253,404 (@patscap) September 20, 2019
Pats are now off the hook for 14 46-man active roster bonuses. He will definitely get paid for 2 weeks. His 2019 salary is fully guaranteed but it can be voided because of behavior. Pats have not paid Brown any of his signing bonus.
The Patriots will now carry a wide receiver depth chart of Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski, and Matthew Slater into their week-three tilt against the Jets this Sunday in Foxborough. Rookie first round pick N’Keal Harry will eligible to begin practicing with the team starting in week seven.
Antonio Brown likely forfeits $9M signing bonus from Patriots b/c of a contract clause calling for players to disclose situations preventing availability, per league source. This could lead to a grievance, but source says that money is 'gone.' Brown was due $5M Monday
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 20, 2019
The #Patriots gave Antonio Brown a $9M signing bonus on his 1-year deal — but it wasn’t all due at signing, and there’s usually forfeiture language. As one NFL exec told me: “I don’t think he has any money yet so at least they can hold it while they fight about it.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 20, 2019
If Antonio Brown does not wind up receiving his $9M signing bonus from the Patriots (the first $5M was due to be paid on Monday), he will go from a $30M guarantee in March to $9M guaranteed to just $158,333 made for 2019.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 20, 2019
And here’s the guarantee forfeiture language, which applies to his $1 million base. https://t.co/T1rAbOlZZY
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 20, 2019