Former Steelers Stand Out Antonio Brown Reportedly Garnering Bona Fide Interest From NFL Teams To Return In 2023

Hot on the heels of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown's free ticket offer, there is word that NFL teams are expressing genuine interest in having him return to the pros. 

Recently, Brown announced that he was considering suiting up and taking the field in an effort to help bolster the struggling team. The team, which historically has been very successful, has only won one of their five games this season. 

Former Steelers Receiver, Antonio Brown, Is Always Up To Something 

With Brown, you are never quite sure how much of what he says is factual. At times, he seems to be living in a world of his own. Recently he renounced his American citizenship and claimed that he is a sovereign nation. He even said that his name isn't "Antonio Brown" anymore, instead claiming it is "Antonio El-Allah Express." 

If that was all of the chaos around him, it would still be more than most people, but it isn't. Brown bought a significant interest in the Albany Empire with his father Eddie Brown. Eddie played for Albany when they were the Firebirds and both Brown men have expressed a passionate desire to be involved with and improve the organization. 

Since Brown came on board early in 2023, there has been nothing but controversy. Including everything from arguments over ownership stakes, with Brown vacillating on his percentage from time to time. We have since learned that Brown is the majority owner, but that created its own issue. The beloved head coach was fired which led to players speaking out about the way they feel they are treated. 

Both coaches and players came forward to say they haven't been getting paid as promised. There were also issues with workman's compensation insurance premiums being paid.   

The debt wasn't all related to the team, Brown was summoned to court to answer to a $30,000 child support arrearage and faced a $1.1 million lawsuit for not paying for custom jewelry.    

Steelers' Antonio Brown Is A Complex Man

While Brown does tend to leave chaos in his wake, it is not all negative. 

Brown has told the media that he feels bad about some of his selfish behaviors in the past. He said he now sees football in a new light and feels the responsibility of being an owner is different than as a player. His actions, including threatening his own security guard, may not substantiate it, but at least he said it. 

Additionally, as news was breaking that Brown was practicing with the team, he came forward and offered free tickets for Saturday's game against the Fayetteville Mustangs. Anyone who is military or a first responder (fire or police) just needs to show valid credentials at the MVP Arena. 

Will Former Steelers Star Antonio Brown See The Gridiron Again?

It seems likely that Brown may try to make his debut on an Arena League team on Saturday. Numerous media outlets reported that he did indeed suit up and practice with the team he owns. 

If Brown does play, even one down, he will be the first person to both own and play for a team since the late, great George Halas owned, coached, and played for the Chicago Bears in the 1920s. Brown has always loved to be a trendsetter, so it isn't hard to imagine that as a motivating factor. 

It has been two years since Brown was on an NFL field. He was playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he had an on-field meltdown, stripped off his pads and jersey, and ran up and down the sidelines before leaving. 

Now Brown's agent, JR Rickert, tells Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, he is getting legitimate interest from NFL teams about his possible return. 

"He is exploring the right fit," said Rickert.

Brown has made overtures in the past about wanting to return, including a tweet about going to the Baltimore Ravens. 

Rickert told CBS he fully believes that Brown will be offered a roster spot during the upcoming season. However, does he think Brown is serious about a comeback?

"I think that he is a multi-talented individual who does everything at a high level and whatever he commits to, he goes all in."

While it is all fun and games to joke about Brown changing his name and staging a comeback, Brown has some seriously heavy baggage. He has been the subject of myriad lawsuits, including ones for sexual misconduct and battery. However, Rickert says he hasn't seen that side of Brown. 

He said he's "had a tremendously positive experience working with AB, and would hope that I [can] continue to be a strong advocate and advisor."

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Brown play on Saturday? Will he get an offer to return to the NFL? Click to comment below. 

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