The release of star wide receiver Antonio Brown on the eve of the 2019 NFL regular season was a big blow to the Raiders' playoff hopes, but a sense of relief within the locker room.
The headache finally is over.
"Everyone is happy he's gone," an anonymous Raiders player told Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman on Saturday. "We're tired of the drama. Time for us to be a team."
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SIGN UP HERE Brown's long list of antics with the Raiders came to an end Saturday with his asking for his release in an Instagram post. Hours later, his wish came true.
The four-time All-Pro now is a Patriot, agreeing to a one-year contract with the reigning Super Bowl champions on the same day of his release. This could have all been a part of the plan, too.
Brown reportedly turned to "social-media consultants" to "accelerate his release from the Raiders," ESPN's Chris Mortensen said on this week's episode of "Sunday NFL Countdown." If this was all a wild plan to catch passes from Tom Brady, mission accomplished.
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As for the Raiders, they can finally move on from one of the most ridiculous offseasons in NFL history.