Bill Belichick signed up for an undertaking.
The New England Patriots signed receiver Antonio Brown on Saturday, according to multiple reports. Brown joins the Patriots after a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders (which included no shortage of drama) and nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (which also included no shortage of drama).
Brown is set to join Belichick and Tom Brady on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million. New England’s receiving group includes Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski and N’Keal Harry (short-term IR). In 15 games last season, Brown had 104 receptions for 1,297 cards and 15 touchdowns with Pittsburgh.
Considering Brown’s propensity for theatrics, let’s consider the worst and best possible outcome for the receiver in New England.
Best case
Consider: WR Randy Moss, RB Corey Dillon
It’s not crazy to think these offensive skill players are just as talented — and maybe more talented — than the group the Patriots had in 2007 when New England shattered passing records. Sure, Brady just turned 42, but the NFL’s rules favor passing offenses more than ever. That helps mitigate any regression in Brady’s game.
When it comes to the 2007 offense, the comparisons are easy. Brown is a lot like Moss (dramatic, troublesome and talented), Josh Gordon’s skills resemble (and probably exceed) Donte’ Stallworth’s and Julian Edelman plays a lot like Wes Welker. At tight end, Ben Watson is playing in New England in 2019, just like he was in 2007. Running back James White (2019) has a similar playing style to Kevin Faulk (2007) — Sony Michel (2019) is likely to outplay Laurence Maroney (2007). And the 2019 running back group also includes talented rookie power back Damien Harris and the versatile Rex Burkhead. Essentially, Brown’s arrival upgrades the Patriots’ talent level to a potentially unprecedented level.
Just imagine if Rob Gronkowski came out of retirement.
Brown is a perfect schematic fit for the Patriots. If he can put the drama aside for a few months, New England’s offense will be practically impossible to defend. He, Gordon and Edelman could quickly become the NFL’s best group of wideouts — and potentially one of the best combinations in the history of the NFL.
There are so many potential roadblocks — namely Brown’s propensity for locker-room issues and Gordon’s problems with substance abuse. But if you’re looking for the best possible outcome, you can watch film on the 2007 Patriots.
Brown could legitimately put up 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Worst case
Consider: DT Albert Haynesworth, WR Chad Ochocinco
The Patriots have committed $9 million in guaranteed money to Brown. There’s a chance they give him that money without ever seeing him play.
History could repeat itself — Brown is on his third team in seven months. He could easily explode into a million pieces (and walk away with $9 million). If there’s anything we learned from Brown’s time in Oakland, it’s that just about anything can go wrong. He had an accident in a cryotherapy chamber which left his feet blistered to the point that he couldn’t practice or play. He filed a grievance with the NFL over his helmet and held out of training camp. Brown cursed at his general manager and demanded his own release.
Every twist and turn of Brown’s past few months has been as unbelievable as the next. It’s possible that drama continues in New England — but if it doesn’t, it’s not going to last long. He’d get cut, and depending on the circumstances, could leave with the money they guaranteed him.
