Brown has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL the last several years as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls in the last eight seasons, and he was named All-Pro four-consecutive years.
After last season, the Steelers traded Brown to the Oakland Raiders for a pair of draft picks. Here’s a brief timeline, according to ESPN, of Brown’s off-field dilemmas:
March 13 — Raiders introduce Brown, who was to receive a $30. 1 million contract extensionJuly 25 — Brown shows up to Raiders training camp with frost bite on the bottom of both his feet from cryotherapyJuly 26 — Brown take hot-air balloon ride over Napa Valley wine country while later in the day placed on non-football-related injury listJuly 30 — Begins protest of the new NFL helmet rule, stating he wants to wear his old helmetAugust 18 — Fined $40,000 by Raiders GM Mike Mayock for unexcused absence of practiceAugust 25 — Loses second grievance to wear his old helmetSeptember 4 — Posted on Instagram a letter from GM Mayock to him about his fines, then gets into on-field confrontation with Mayock on the practice field, allegedly threatening to assault the GMSeptember 5 — Raiders suspend the receiver for conduct detrimental to the team, and the Raiders joust with Brown over guaranteed moneySeptember 6 — Brown apologizes to his teammates, then Raiders staff says he will play on Monday night in the season opener against the Denver BroncosSeptember 7 — Raiders fine Brown $215,000 for more detrimental conduct, and Brown says he is no longer part of the teamSeptember 7 — Signs a 1-year contract with New England Patriots for $10 million guaranteed, and $5 million more in incentives. It included a $9 million signing bonus
Now, Brown joins the finely-tuned machine of the Patriots, which already has the often-troubled Josh Gordon among its receiving corps. With Julian Edelman also in the lineup, the trio of receivers could be the best-ever in the era of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who could reach a 10th Super Bowl with so much talent at his disposal.
Brown will not be eligible to play in the Patriots season opener Sunday night against his old team — the Pittsburgh Steelers. He will be available in Week 2 when the Patriots face AFC East Division rival Miami Dolphins.
