Arians: Antonio Brown signing an 'insurance policy' for Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 5-2 on Sunday as Tom Brady threw touchdown passes to four different receivers in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, which might lead some to question why the Buccaneers felt the need to reach an agreement with Antonio Brown.

"It's an insurance policy," head coach Bruce Arians said, according to Greg Auman of The Athletic.

Wideouts Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Scotty Miller have all battled injuries early in the season, and tight end Rob Gronkowski is nursing a right shoulder ailment.

"We have good players," Arians said. "You can't have enough of them."

Arians scoffed in the spring at the idea of adding Brown, saying, "I just know him and it's not a fit in our locker room." He changed his tune Sunday.

"I think he's matured," the coach said, according to Auman. "I believe in second chances."

Arians also addressed speculation that Brady had a strong influence on the signing. Brady and Brown played together briefly last season and seemed to click: The latter recorded a touchdown in his only outing with the New England Patriots.

"Everybody wants to say Tom picked him. Tom didn't have anything to do with it," Arians said, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "This is something (general manager) Jason (Licht) and I have been talking about for some time."

Though Brown has completed his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the 32-year-old is still engaged in a civil lawsuit regarding sexual assault allegations against him. Arians said the outcome of Brown's legal dispute could determine how long he remains with the Buccaneers.

"Let the court system do its job," Arians said. He added: "If it's found to be true, he won't be with us."