Antonio Brown fielding ‘genuine’ NFL interest ahead of anticipated arena league debut, agent says

Two years right after he was final noticed in the NFL, former All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown is teasing a debut for the arena football group he not too long ago bought. But that is not all. The longtime Steelers star is also fielding “genuine” interest from NFL teams about a prospective return to the league in 2023, his agent JR Rickert tells CBS Sports.

Brown, 34, hasn’t taken the field considering that storming out of the Buccaneers’ Week 17 game in 2021, when he infamously went shirtless right after a dispute with Tampa Bay coaches. But the seven-time Pro Bowler not too long ago reported to practice for the Albany Empire, the upstart National Arena League group of which he is a majority owner, and plans to “suit up” at Saturday’s dwelling game.

It is a possibility for Brown to jump-begin an arena franchise he’s operating alongside his father, former indoor standout Eddie Brown, whilst he considers his personal NFL comeback, according to Rickert.

“He is exploring the ideal match,” his agent stated Thursday, describing current NFL inquiries as “genuine.”

This comes a month right after Brown abruptly teased an NFL comeback, even posting a image of himself in a Ravens uniform. He’d stated as not too long ago as March, when he became co-owner of the Empire, that he was retired from playing.

Rickert expressed self-assurance Brown will be on an NFL roster at some point in 2023. But is the wideout really serious about a return?

“I assume that he is a multi-talented person who does anything at a higher level,” Rickert stated, “and what ever he commits to, he goes all in.”

Brown, who’s providing military and initial responders cost-free admission to his apparent Empire debut on Saturday, has remained a controversial off-field figure. Due to the fact 2019, in amongst colorful departures from the Steelers, Raiders and Patriots organizations, the former All-Pro has faced a lot of lawsuits, such as these alleging sexual misconduct and felony battery.

Asked if he’s concerned Brown could face future NFL discipline in the occasion of a return to the league, Rickert stated only that he’s “had a tremendously constructive knowledge operating with AB, and would hope that I (can) continue to be a powerful advocate and advisor.”