Antonio Brown apparently enjoyed seeing his former team’s season come to an end. The former Buccaneers‘ wideout made reference to Tampa Bay’s 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams shortly after Sunday’s divisional round playoff game.
The photo Brown posted was an edited version of his final moment as a member of the Buccaneers. Brown emphatically left the field during the middle of the Buccaneers’ Week 17 win over the New York Jets. Brown said he was kicked off the team by head coach Bruce Arians after he refused to go back into the game while citing his ankle injury. Arians said that Brown’s refusal to re-enter the game was a byproduct of Brown’s previous complains about not getting the ball enough.
Regardless, Brown was not part of the Buccaneers’ team for the postseason. Without Brown, injured receiver Chris Godwin and injured right tackle Tristan Wirfs, the Buccaneers’ passing attack was not as efficient for most of Sunday’s game. While Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski caught a combined 12 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown, wideouts Scott Miller and Tyler Johnson combined to catch just seven passes for 53 yards. Tom Brady’s third favorite target Sunday was Leonard Fournette, who caught 9 of 11 targets for 56 yards.
Sunday’s loss may not have just been the end of the Buccaneers’ title defense. It could have been the final game for Brady, who was noncommittal about his playing future during his postgame press conference. Brown may have also played his final down in the NFL after his inauspicious end in Tampa. Brown had similar ugly exits during previous stops with the Patriots, Raiders and Steelers.
KVSP