That sound you hear are things hitting the fan big time in Northern California as the Oakland Raiders prepare for their final season before relocating to Las Vegas.
Reports came trickling in Friday indicating that new Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown had filed a grievance against the NFL in an attempt to continue wearing the same helmet that he donned during is Pittsburgh Steelers days.
If that weren’t enough, a later report suggested that the injured receiver will retire if the NFL doesn’t give in to him.
Still away from training camp as Oakland prepares for its first preseason game, Brown is also dealing with a foot injury.
Drama and intrigue. Two things have have defined Brown over the past year. Now, according to this report from NFL insider Benjamin Allbright, The Raiders’ brass is split on how to deal with the Brown situation.
This report is interesting in that it seems to pit general manager Mike Mayock against head coach Jon Gruden. It doesn’t go into detail regarding who supported the idea of trading for Brown. Though, common sense seems to indicate that Gruden was behind the acquisition.
At this point, it seems questionable that Brown will ever suit up in a Raiders uniform months after the team traded two valuable draft picks to acquire him and inked the seven-time Pro Bowler to a three-year, $50.1 million extension.
Fun time in Oakland.