Rumors of Antonio Brown joining Tom Brady with Tampa Bay Buccaneers have returned

Now that NFL talking heads don't have to speculate on Cam Newton's future with the 2015 league MVP signing with the New England Patriots on Sunday, naturally all the rumors now shift to another former superstar who is a free agent: Antonio Brown. Could the former All-Pro wideout join Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski with the Tampa Bay Bucs to create one of potentially the most talented offenses in league history?

In late March, Bucs coach Bruce Arians said this on CBS Sports Radio when Brown expressed interest in joining the team: "Yea, it's not gonna happen. There's no room. It's just not gonna happen. It's just not a fit here."

However, on Tuesday former Patriots executive Michael Lombardi said this on the Pat McAfee Show: "I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa makes another move. I wouldn't be surprised now that New England got Cam (Newton), I wouldn't be surprised if Tampa made another move."

When asked if that move meant signing Brown, Lombardi added: "I am thinking they are chipping away. You know how Andy (Dufresne) used to chip away at the wall at Shawshank? Chip, chip, chip. I think there's some chipping going on down there. I am just saying keep your antennas up."

JT The Brick, a radio host for Mad Dog Sports Radio, tweeted this: "Hearing word out of TOMPA BAY that Business could be Boomin! #AntonioBrown" Lombardi then retweeted: "Hearing the same thing."

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Brady supposedly has pushed for the Bucs to add Brown. The Ravens and Seahawks last week were reported to have had internal discussions about signing Brown, who is likely facing at least an eight-game suspension for all his off-field issues. ESPN's Josina Anderson then reported the Ravens are not being considered as a potential future destination.

Seattle might make some sense, although the Seahawks might prefer re-signing Josh Gordon. Brown doesn't make much sense for the Bucs because they already have two of the league's best wideouts in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, plus two terrific tight ends in Gronkowski and OJ Howard. There are only so many balls to go around. ESPN reported later Tuesday that the Bucs aren't interested in Brown, but then again ESPN once reported the Patriots weren't interested in Newton. 

According to overthecap.com, the Bucs currently have the second-fewest amount of salary cap space in the NFL at around $4.8 million. What is more likely is that Arians uses a large chunk of that to sign Devonta Freeman as the coach has gone on record saying he wants a pass-catching running back.

But how fun would a Bucs-Patriots Super Bowl 55 in Tampa be with Brady, Gronk and Brown facing off against their former franchise and Cam Newton? (Albeit Brown was there very briefly.) The Pats are +750 on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook to win the AFC and the Bucs +600 in the NFC.

Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Antonio Brown be on Week 1 of the 2020 season?

• None -200
• Seahawks +300
• Ravens +500
• Bucs +800
• Other +1000

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