The Antonio Brown saga keeps on getting weirder in Oakland.
Brown has had a rollercoaster preseason filled with frostbitten feet and helmet drama, but things apparently went to another level Wednesday.
After the four-time All-Pro called out the Raiders for fining him for missing practice and a walkthrough on his Instagram story, Brown and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock reportedly got into a heated argument that had Brown screaming. Brown then threatened to punch Mayock in the face before punting a football and telling the GM to "fine him" for that, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.
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The altercation between Brown and Mayock reportedly has the Raiders planning to suspend him for Week 1. The Raiders laid the groundwork to suspend Brown for conduct detrimental to the team -- which wouldn't be hard to prove given the receiver's offseason -- and could void the remaining $29.125 million Brown is guaranteed over the next two seasons if they suspend him and then cut him.
There's also the issue of Brown threatening to hit Mayock, which would violate the league's Personal Conduct Policy and give the NFL the option to suspend him even if the Raiders elect not to.
According to The Athetic's Vic Tafur, linebacker Vontaze Burfict had to hold Brown back during the arugment with Mayock.
NFL
https://twitter.com/VicTafur/status/1169665597581381632//t
Mayock issued a short statement on Brown on Thursday, noting the receiver was not at practice and was not in the building.
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Brown has immense talent. Head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr have raved about the receiver's work ethic and ability to raise everyone else's compete level when he is on the field. But the off the field stuff is starting to pile up, and Brown hasn't even played a game for the Raiders yet.
When he arrived in Oakland, Brown talked about setting the new standard for accountability, but that quickly has gone out the window. Now, the seven-time Pro-Bowl selection needs to decide if he wants to be all-in for his new club, or lose out on almost $30 million and find a new home.
