Colts: Don’t even think about Indy making run at Antonio Brown

Don’t expect Colts to make a run at signing free agent WR Antonio Brown.

The Indianapolis Colts serving their bye this week gives GM Chris Ballard all the time in the world to brainstorm ways to bolster the roster before a gauntlet of a second-half schedule. Even despite a rash of injuries and suspect quarterback play, anything less than qualifying for the playoffs will be viewed as a disappointment by media members.

Taking that into account, it’s understandable why so many fans are demanding Ballard to showcase some urgency and make a blockbuster trade, whether it be for a wide receiver, edge rusher or offensive line depth, ahead of the Nov. 3 deadline.

However, it just so happens that Indianapolis wouldn’t have to give up assets to address their glaring need at WR. Embattled free agent Antonio Brown will come off his eight-game suspension in two weeks and a number of teams are reportedly showing interest in signing him.

While the Colts are in desperate need of help at receiver, fans should NOT be expecting Ballard to make a run at signing Brown. The negatives far outweigh the positives and it frankly isn’t even up for debate.

For starters, Brown could have a potentially detrimental impact both in the locker room and to the formidable culture the franchise has been establishing through the draft over the last three seasons. A player like him would be better served going to a team that is capable of managing his gargantuan ego and enigmatic personality.

Therefore, it isn’t surprising that Seattle, which has a multitude of outspoken veteran leaders and an impenetrable culture, are said to be the frontrunners to land his signature. The Colts simply do not fit that description at this stage of their rebuild project.

We’re talking about a player who was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, been the subject of sexual misconduct allegations, and was accused of sexually assaulting his former trainer. Not to mention his other smaller run-ins with the law, which include pleading no contest to felony burglary with a batter charge AND two misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident with a moving truck company outside his Florida home.

We say literally bring in anybody else. Do we really need to conduct a deep dive into how Brown strong-armed his way out of Oakland (now Las Vegas) last season? He proved to be a living nightmare for the Raiders after they signed him to a three-year, $50 million contract prior to the start of the 2019 season.

The Colts could obviously use a WR, but help is on the way. Michael Pittman Jr. could return after the bye and Marcus Johnson has quietly emerged as Philip Rivers’ favorite target over TY Hilton in the last two games. There’s also the potential return of Parris Campbell, who’s currently on IR with a knee injury, to consider.

What about Zach Pascal? Did everybody just forget that he carried the load at receiver when Hilton and Campbell were  injured last season? Again, we don’t hate the idea of the Colts browsing the trade market for a wideout, but signing Brown would be a colossal mistake considering the baggage he comes with.

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