The Ravens’ front office hasn’t been linked to free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown, but their star players have.
With quarterback Lamar Jackson and wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown working out last week with Brown, a fellow South Florida native and cousin of Marquise, and given the team’s need for impact wide receivers, general manager Eric DeCosta was asked Monday about the workouts and the Ravens’ potential interest.
DeCosta, as expected, didn’t say much.
“Those are in-house things. Those are my feelings, personal feelings, about that situation,” DeCosta said during the Ravens’ predraft conference call. “I don’t really feel the need to share that with you all right now.
“And as far as free-agent players, we wouldn’t talk about those guys right now. It doesn’t really serve any purpose for us to talk about players that are available right now. There’s really no benefit to do that, so I think I’ll just leave that one alone.”
Antonio Brown, who hasn’t played since Week 2 last season, now faces felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges. The NFL is also investigating accusations of rape and sexual assault against Brown made in a civil lawsuit last year by his former trainer.
Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection with the Pittsburgh Steelers who turns 32 in July, has since filed a countersuit and remains interested in returning to the NFL. On Monday, he hired veteran agent Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports to represent him, according to ESPN.
One potential landing spot for Brown has already been nixed. Two weeks ago, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians told the “Tiki and Tierney” show on CBS Sports Network that Brown would not be playing for the Buccaneers.
“Yeah, it’s not going to happen,” Arians said. “There’s no room. And probably not enough money. But it’s not gonna happen — it’s not a fit here.”
Social media posts and interviews have fueled speculation around Brown’s interest in the Ravens. After throwing passes to Brown during a workout last week in Florida, Jackson indicated on Twitter that he hoped they could do it again.
And during a Fox Sports interview Friday, Ravens running back Mark Ingram II was asked what he thought about the possibility of Brown heading to Baltimore. “Let’s get it, A.B.,” he said excitedly. “Bring it on. I’m with it.”
Ingram was less certain about how realistic that possibility is. “It’s just all speculation at this point. … I think they just got together for a little throw session.”
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