CLEVELAND — Entering the 2019 NFL season, the expectations for the Cleveland Browns are already sky-high.
But according to a new report just ahead of Sunday's kickoff against the Tennessee Titans, on Saturday, the team was interested in taking its hype for the upcoming campaign to another level.
In what became one of the most publicized stories of the NFL offseason, the Oakland Raiders released star receiver Antonio Brown -- just months after acquiring him in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And while it didn't take long for Brown to sign a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, his agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that his client's free agent market was robust and included interest from the Browns.
While Brown possesses a polarizing personality -- his release cam after weeks worth of drama, in which he missed practice with the Raiders due to not being allowed to wear an outdated helmet model and was at one point suspended for the team's opener after a confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock -- his talent is undeniable. In nine seasons with the Steelers, he compiled a Hall of Fame-worthy career, twice leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards, in addition to catching a league-high 15 touchdowns in 2018.
Entering the 2019 season, the former Central Michigan standout ranks 28th in NFL history in receptions (837), 34th in receiving yards (11,207) and 35th in touchdowns (74). In 14 career games against Cleveland, Brown compiled 101 receptions, 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns -- all three of which are the best numbers he has totaled against any opponent.
According to Mortensen, Cleveland's bi-annual matchups vs. Pittsburgh weren't lost on Brown, who parted ways with his former team after publicly requesting a trade from the Steelers. In addition to the Browns, the 7-time Pro Bowl selection also considered signing with the Seattle Seahawks, due to his personal relationship with quarterback Russell Wilson.
Had Brown signed with Cleveland, the Browns would have undisputably laid claim to the most talented wide receiving corps in the league after acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. earlier this offseason and Jarvis Landry a year ago. Instead, Brown heads to New England, where he'll join the defending Super Bowl champions, and a group of wide receivers headlined by former Browns standout Josh Gordon.
The Browns and Patriots will meet in Foxborough on Oct. 27.
