Report: NFL Was Interviewing Antonio Brown's 2nd Accuser During Patriots Release

While the New England Patriots made the decision to cut Antonio Brown, the NFL was reportedly interviewing the artist who accused Brown of stripping down naked in front of her, save a towel covering his genitals, while she was working on a painting for him at his house, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Brown also reportedly sent intimidating text messages to the artist—who requested anonymity—after Robert Klemko of SI.com published his piece, leading to Brown's release.

As Rapoport noted, "As the materials she provided were being reviewed by league personnel, the Patriots cut him."

On Monday, the NFL interviewed Britney Taylor, who accused Brown in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting her on three separate occasions, including raping her. Brown has denied those accusations, but his future in the NFL remains uncertain.

As Rapoport noted, the league won't place him on the commissioner's exempt list while he remains a free agent, though the NFL withholds the right to do so if he signs with a new team.

The possibility remains high that interested teams won't pull the trigger on signing him until the league concludes its investigations into the accusations made against him and the text messages he reportedly sent his second accuser:

Rapoport added: "If Brown is signed by a team, he could be placed on the list at any time. That almost certainly will serve as a deterrent to future employers."

No criminal charges have been brought against Brown to this point, though the NFL has punished players in the past who weren't charged with crimes after conducting its own investigation, most notably with Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

If no criminal charges are brought against Brown and the NFL's investigation clears him of any wrongdoing, however, it seems likely a number of teams would remain interested. While Brown has become a controversial figure after forcing his way out of Oakland and having two women accuse him of sexual misconduct, he's also a seven-time Pro Bowler.

If the NFL chooses against punishing him, another team will likely take a chance.