Report: Saints were blown away by Antonio Brown, want to sign him

Antonio Brown still has no idea when or for how long the NFL is planning to suspend him, but the star wide receiver sounds like he is ready to make an immediate impact as soon as he gets back onto the field.

Brown worked out for the New Orleans Saints this week, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Sunday that he “caught every single thing that was thrown at him” and blew the team away. The Saints reportedly have legitimate interest in signing Brown, but they don’t want to make a move until the NFL provides some clarity on his situation.

“The issue is the NFL. The Saints would like to sign Antonio Brown, but they’re waiting for the NFL to issue a ruling, and there’s been no clarity from the NFL as to when the league might make a ruling on the sexual assault allegations that were levied against Brown in the NFL’s active investigation,” Schefter said, per Bleacher Report’s Paul Kasabian. “So as long as the investigation is ongoing, the Saints can’t do anything, but they would be interested in signing him, if only he were free.”

Saints head coach Sean Payton said earlier in the week that the team would need to know if Brown will be cleared to play in the postseason, and he almost certainly is not going to be. That could prevent New Orleans or any other team from signing him, but the Saints are clearly among the teams that will be interested in adding the 31-year-old to their roster this offseason.

There are several teams that are reportedly interested in Brown, but all indications have been that he is going to be suspended at some point. He had a sexual assault lawsuit filed against him by a former friend and personal trainer earlier this year, and a second woman whom he hired to do some artwork at his house has since accused him of sexual misconduct.

The thought of Brown and Michael Thomas catching passes together in the playoffs is one that should terrify NFC teams, but it remains highly unlikely that it will become a reality this year.