Report: Tom Brady Joked 'We'll Take Him' After Antonio Brown's Raiders Release

Tom Brady reportedly joked with friends about the New England Patriots signing Antonio Brown on Saturday.

It turned out to be no laughing matter. ESPN's Jeff Darlington revealed the tidbit of information during Sunday NFL Countdown.

"Tom Brady, when he found out that AB was going to be released yesterday, he told some of his friends, 'Hey, we'll take him.' It was supposed to be a joke. He was supposed to be joking," Darlington said.

The Patriots signed Brown to a one-year contract worth up to $15 million Saturday, just hours after he was granted his release by the Oakland Raiders.

Brown's exit from Oakland concluded a months-long saga that saw him reach a point of no return with a team for which he never played a game. The seven-time Pro Bowler left the Raiders at numerous points in training camp over displeasure with the NFL banning his preferred helmet and to undergo treatment for frostbite on his feet. 

Much of Brown's displeasure with the team appeared to be because of general manager Mike Mayock, who called on him to be "all-in or all-out" in August. When Brown appeared to be settling in, Mayock fined him for two unexcused absences—incensing the wide receiver to the point he verbally confronted the GM, per ESPN's Josina Anderson.

After the Raiders fined Brown again for his conduct, thus voiding the guarantees in his contract, Brown publicly demanded his release Saturday. The team acquiesced not long after, and Brown was a Patriot by the late afternoon.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that Brown sought advice from social media experts on how to expedite his departure from Oakland.

The end result could be the best possible outcome for Brown, who goes from a losing franchise in Oakland to the defending Super Bowl champions. He'll instantly become the top wideout on a suddenly loaded Patriots depth chart and the most talented receiver Brady has played with since Randy Moss.

While there is likely some concern about adding Brown's volatile personality to the roster, the Patriots have fostered a reputation for their ability to handle guys formerly seen as malcontents. Brown is coming off six straight 100-catch seasons, so it's clear Brady and Bill Belichick saw this as an opportunity too good to pass up.