But first, weighing how Antonio Brown could fit in with the Seattle Seahawks ...
If you're surprised by the Seattle Seahawks' interest in Antonio Brown, you haven't been paying close attention to how Pete Carroll and Co. have built a perennial contender in the Pacific Northwest. The Super Bowl-winning head coach isn't afraid to take on ultra-talented players with troubled backgrounds if they are hardworking, competitive and willing to buy into a team-first attitude.
Brown certainly checks off a few boxes on that list, as a four-time All-Pro with seven 1,000-yard seasons and four 10-plus touchdown campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's an explosive playmaker capable of scoring from anywhere on the field on a variety of vertical throws and catch-and-run concepts. The 31-year-old Brown's electric playing style jumps off the screen when studying the game tape.
However, looming over Brown's future is the investigation being conducted by the NFL into the civil sexual assault and rape allegations that led to his release last year from the New England Patriots. Any team, including the Seahawks, that considers signing him will have to take that ongoing investigation into account, as well as the potential that Brown could face discipline and a possible suspension as a result of the investigation, or from the burglary and battery charges to which he pleaded no contest earlier this month.
Separately, teams will have to consider the sideline tantrums and cryptic social media posts that cloud his evaluation, as well as the contentious end to both his time with the Steelers and his brief tenure with the Raiders. I obviously am not privy to the debate that is surely being waged in the Seahawks' meeting rooms. But presuming his off-field situation plays out in a way that allows them to proceed, I believe Brown would enhance their chances of making another run at a Super Bowl.
Here are three reasons the Seahawks should consider signing Brown:
1) Brown could thrive in the Seahawks' culture.
Despite the acrimonious way the All-Pro closed out his relationships with the Steelers and Raiders (which included clashes with ex-Pittsburgh teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock), and depending on how his off-field situation plays out, the team could come to view Brown as a great fit, due to his talent, work ethic and energy. Over the bulk of his career, the 11th-year pro developed a reputation as a worker bee that is second to none, someone whose competitive spirit as a football player would mesh with the team's persona. Moreover, Brown is an elite playmaker with the kind of talent that encourages teams to explore ways to make it work.
Last year, the Seahawks considered bringing Brown on board after he was released from the Raiders. Seattle's interest took some observers by surprise, but it went hand in hand with Carroll's plan to improve the roster at every turn.
"Why wouldn't you?" Carroll told reporters after word leaked out about the team's interest in Brown following his release from the Raiders. "He's a great player. Not everything is always what it seems. You've got to check into stuff and figure out what's going on. I have confidence in our guys and (GM) John (Schneider), and our coaches that we can figure those things out and see what's best. I don't mind getting real close to the edge of it and figuring it out."
Although Carroll walked that statement back a few weeks later, after Brown was released by the Patriots, it speaks to the mentality of the Seahawks coach and their team-building approach. The ultra-energetic leader is resolute in his desire to add blue-chip players to the roster, even if it means sometimes entering into risk-reward scenarios.
Remember, the Seahawks added Marshawn Lynch when he was considered a malcontent at the end of his tenure with the Buffalo Bills. The team also took an apparent risk in drafting Frank Clark, who was dismissed from Michigan because of domestic assault allegations, and Clark played four full seasons before being traded to the Chiefs for a first-round pick.
Again, Seattle will have to take into account Brown's past issues. But he has also demonstrated that he can be a competitive, hard-working player with a dynamic game that produces fireworks on the field. His practice regimen is considered legendary in football circles, with few players capable of matching his energy, intensity and tempo. The diligent work helped the veteran become the undisputed top player at his position as recently as 2018.
In Seattle, Brown's energy and competitiveness could fit well on a team built on individual and collective competitiveness. The 'Hawks sprinkle in competitive periods throughout practice, including one-on-one and seven-on-seven periods, with the starters competing against each other. With Brown known to embrace on-field challenges while diligently prepping for the next game, the four-time All-Pro is built to play for a team and coach who embody the "Always Compete" mantra.
2) The Seahawks' passing game could go from good to great.
Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf combined for 140 catches, 1,957 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns as the Seahawks' primary playmakers on the perimeter a season ago, but those numbers pale in comparison to Brown's production for most of his career.
Brown had six straight seasons with at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards prior to his abbreviated 2019 campaign. He's twice led the NFL in catches and receiving yards, while also pacing the league with 15 receiving touchdowns during his final full season (2018). His dominance as a WR1 should make him the center of attention whenever he steps onto the field, particularly from defensive coordinators attempting to slow him down on the perimeter.
With that in mind, Brown's presence would not only give quarterback Russell Wilson another dynamic weapon to target in the passing game, but he would create more one-on-one opportunities for Lockett, Metcalf and new tight end Greg Olsen. Defensive play-callers would undoubtedly use double teams on Brown or instruct the safety to lean in his direction on obvious passing downs. These tactics would give Lockett and Metcalf more space to work against CB2s and CB3s on the outside. The duo already combined for 28 plays of 20-plus receiving yards (including seven 40-plus yard receptions) as the team's top options in 2019 -- those numbers could skyrocket with the tandem facing lesser talents on the perimeter.
Remember, the threat of the Seahawks' potent running game poses a problem by forcing opponents to drop an extra defender into the box to slow down Chris Carson and Wilson on the zone-read. With Brown also commanding attention as a blue-chip playmaker, the Seahawks' aerial attack could overwhelm opponents that lack the personnel to match up with the emerging track team on the outside.
3) Brown's sandlot game meshes with Wilson's improvisational playing style.
When building an offense around the QB1, it is important to surround him with playmakers who complement his talents. Brown's spontaneity and creativity should work well with Wilson's impromptu playmaking ability outside of the pocket.
As an electric player with a sandlot game built on improvisation, the All-Pro pass catcher made a number of plays in Pittsburgh on an assortment of broken plays. Brown would change his routes on the fly when he sensed Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was in trouble in the pocket. The impressive telepathic communication between the duo made them nearly impossible to defend.
In Seattle, Wilson's improvisational skills and running ability should lead to more broken plays, with Brown shaking free from defenders on freestyle routes. The veteran pass-catcher has a combination of instincts, awareness and stop-start quickness that makes him hard to shadow when he's given more time and room to operate. If Brown's spontaneity is combined with Wilson's athleticism, improvisation and accuracy, the Seahawks could torch opposing defensive backfields with an assortment of scramble tosses thrown over the heads of defenders frantically attempting to shadow the pass catcher down the field.
On plays outside the tackle box, Wilson leads the NFL in passing attempts (333), completions (171), passing yards (2,308) and touchdown passes (21) over the past three seasons, according to Next Gen Stats. He also ranks second with 18 touchdown passes on the run (behind Jameis Winston's 19) over that span. Considering he's done it without a top 10 receiver at his disposal, the addition of Brown could push Wilson over the top as an MVP candidate.