Antonio Brown Says Saints Used His Workout as a 'Publicity Stunt'

Antonio Brown will be watching the playoffs from home.

December 31, 2019

Wide Receiver Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots — Image via Getty/Michael Reaves
Getty

Despite being brought in to workout with the Saints last week, Antonio Brown is still on the outside of the NFL looking in. AB has never been shy about expressing his feelings, and claimed that the Saints used him to build hype around the team.

"Everyone has deadlines. I guess the NFL don't have a deadline for me, so I appreciate Sean Payton and them guys for supporting me and bringing me out to work out. But I think it was a publicity stunt for them," Brown said during a recent Instagram Live session. "Sean Payton know[s] the feeling of being left behind, not being able to interact with his team. I don't have a team. It is what it is. We don't seek comfort. We don't make excuses. I'm going to just keep committing to be the difference, 'cause I know I'm the difference."

Yet, insiders claim that AB's appearance in New Orleans was far from a publicity stunt. The Saints were reportedly actually interested in signing AB, but his off-field antics proved to be an issue. According to NBC Sports, New Orleans told Brown not to bring his entourage to the workout as the team wanted to limit the attention the meeting would generate. AB refused to listen and brought his entire camp—including a cameraman—to the workout.

Additionally, signing Brown might not have been a fruitful move for the Super Bowl contenders. Although AB reportedly "did not drop a ball" during the workout, insiders believe that Brown will be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list as soon as he signs with a team.

"My understanding is any team that signs him, he is likely to go on the commissioner’s exempt list," Ian Rapoport said. "In other words, if the Saints or another team signs him, it’s very, very unlikely to play this year."