Jackson 'still hoping' Ravens sign Antonio Brown
Lamar Jackson endorsed wide receiver Antonio Brown as a possible free-agent addition to the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday after working out with him in the offseason.
"It was nice throwing to Antonio Brown," the quarterback said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I was hoping we would get him. I'm still hoping - a little bit."
Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has been unsigned since Week 3 of the 2019 season when the New England Patriots released him amid a host of off-field issues.
The NFL still hasn't finished investigating separate allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault against Brown. The league began its probe in September.
Brown's cousin Marquise already plays for the Ravens and is also a wide receiver. The Brown cousins posed for pictures with Jackson after a workout in the spring.
We Activated 🔋 pic.twitter.com/MtnGXKcPwv
— Hollywood Brown (@Primetime_jet) April 1, 2020
The Ravens and Seattle Seahawks have been most strongly linked to Brown, but the 32-year-old is unlikely to get a deal until the NFL determines potential discipline. Though Baltimore is coming off a 14-2 season, its depth at wide receiver is one of the few uncertainties facing the club entering training camp.
"There's no quit with him," Jackson said. "That's the type of guy we need in our locker room. I feel like the locker room here is different than any other locker room. There's a brotherhood going on. None of that outside noise. It's strictly inside."
In his only appearance of the 2019 season, Brown caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown with the Patriots. He led the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns in 2018 and had a league-high 1,533 receiving yards in 2017.
Brown tantalized the Ravens throughout his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, notching 1,191 yards and five touchdowns through the air in 17 encounters.