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It seems like the Antonio Brown saga is going to drag on into 2020.
The controversial wide receiver has been pushing to be reinstated by the league but the NFL has been taking its time conducting an investigation into rape allegations against Brown.
Retweet if u want me back in @nfl like if I should wait til 2020 !!!!!
— AB (@AB84) November 10, 2019
I'm just very frustrated right now with the false allegations and slander to my name. I love football and I miss it. I just want to play and I'm very emotional about that. I'm determined to make my way back to the NFL asap
— AB (@AB84) November 7, 2019
Early Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Brown is not expected to play this season because no one will sign him until the league concludes their investigation.
Via Espn
Barring a significant turn of events, Antonio Brown is not expected to play again this season, league sources told ESPN.
Brown is continuing to push for his return to the NFL, and he is scheduled to meet with the league Thursday to address the sexual assault allegations he faces, but obstacles await the free-agent wide receiver at every step.
If Brown were to get an offer from any of the three teams that have been in contact with him, the NFL would be prepared to place him on the commissioner’s exempt list, according to sources.
If Brown is placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, the team that signed him would have to pay him until the league’s investigation is resolved, which might not happen before the season ends.
Schefter goes on to reveal that Brown has yet to turn over all the evidence the NFL has asked for in their investigation which may be slowing things down.
Additionally, Brown has not turned over all of the evidence the NFL has requested to gain a broader understanding of his case, according to a source.
There are teams around the league that believe that after the NFL completes its investigation, additional discipline could await Brown, further affecting his chances of playing again this season. That potential discipline could stretch well into next season.
Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus released a statement after Schefter’s report claiming that he believes Brown will still play this season after the league interviews him this week.
In response to idea that Antonio Brown is not expected to play again this season, Drew Rosenhaus said: “I'm confident Antonio will play again this season. I believe the NFL should clear him after they interview him this week and I expect he will be signed shortly after that.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2019