Bucs head coach Bruce Arians on Antonio Brown: 'History has changed'

As Jenna Laine noted for ESPN, Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said last year that star wide receiver Antonio Brown would be "done" with the Buccaneers if he screwed up "one time" coming off an eight-game suspension for violations of the NFL's personal-conduct policy. As a result, many presumed Arians would cut ties with Brown when both the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver and safety Mike Edwards earned three-game bans earlier this month for purposely misrepresenting their COVID-19 vaccination statuses by using fake vaccination cards.

However, Arians told reporters Sunday night he was welcoming the two back to work after they officially completed their suspensions, and he offered more information about his thinking Monday. 

"Well, the history has changed since that statement," Arians said of his previous comments about Brown. "A lot of things went on last year that I was very proud of him. And I made a decision that was best for our football team."

In answering a question, Arians also addressed those who would question adding Brown back to the active roster as the Buccaneers attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions. 

"I could give a s--- what they think. The only thing I care about is this football team ... and what's best for us," Arians said. 

During Sunday's surprising 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was lost for the rest of the campaign and playoffs with a torn ACL, and fellow Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans went down with a strained hamstring that has him week-to-week. 

Brown, meanwhile, has 29 catches for 418 receiving yards and four touchdowns in five games this season. He's been out of action since first hurting his ankle on Oct. 14.