Report: ‘No signs of an imminent deal’ between the Buccaneers and Antonio Brown

Despite the various reports of the Buccaneers talking with wide receiver Antonio Brown on a return, head coach Bruce Arians saying they have sent him multiple offers, Brown saying they will work things out, and the veteran also telling the Bucs to sign AB, it doesn’t look like a return to pewter in 2020 is happening for the 32-year-old receiver.

The latest from Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times suggests that negotiations between Brown and the Bucs may have hit a wall as another year in Tampa Bay may not happen.

As of Tuesday morning, nothing new had transpired regarding the Bucs and Brown, the team’s only prominent free agent who remains unsigned. Late last week, coach Bruce Arians told WDAE 620-AM the chances of Brown returning in 2021 are “okay,” and history shows that talks can turn on a dime in the NFL’s bizarre alternate universe. But for now, there are no signs of an imminent deal.

Nor is there any indication Brown will get a significant salary hike if he does re-sign.

Knight goes on to say that Brown is believed to be looking for a deal close to market value. The projected market value from CBS Sports for the wide receiver position was a floor of $12 million a season with a ceiling of $20 million. However, some reports had projected Brown’s market value to be at around $5 million. So which market value he may be seeking is unclear.

Many would argue Brown shouldn’t be offered either market value, and perhaps most certainly not the former in the above referenced projections. If this report holds true, then that could very well be the reason there is a stalemate between both sides.