Former NFL GM explains why he would sign Antonio Brown

75756A5E-120A-4932-810C-2FD980DB785E

Antonio Brown is one of the great talents in the NFL, but over the last year he's had his fair share of issues off the field.

It started with him being traded to Oakland from Pittsburgh and then getting released around the start of the season. He then was signed by the Patriots, but after playing in one game was released following sending threatening text messages to a woman who accused him of sexual misconduct. Brown did not sign with a team again last season, but could not stay out of trouble.

The wide receiver was arrested in South Florida for burglary with battery following an incident with a moving company driver.

Now, the question becomes is it worth signing the wide receiver?

Appearing on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria Friday, former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum said he would.

“I absolutely would, and I will tell you why: the object of the exercise is to win as many pro football games as possible," he said. "You want to do that within reason. You want to do that with people who are either eligible or have had let’s just say bumps in the road, but have paid a price and hopefully are remorseful for their mistakes. There are very limited ways to improve your roster. Everyone has the same amount of salary cap space, everybody in theory starts with the same draft capital. So, I think you have to do your due diligence, you have to understand can you help the person in a meaningful way? Are they remorseful? Are they trying to get better off the field?

"We signed Plaxico Burress with the Jets after he had an arrest at the Giants and paid a big price for it. He came in and helped us. We did it with Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie. We got to a couple of championship games and they were meaningful contributors. It’s not a blanket statement, you have to proceed with caution, but you have to be thorough and you have to say, ‘Hey, is this an opportunity where he can help the team in a meaningful way' and hopefully we can help him learn from his mistakes and grow from it as well."

There do not appear to be any teams at the moment seriously considering signing Brown.