The Facts: The NFL continues to investigate Brown but will not place him on the Commissioner-Exempt list as long as the receiver remains a free agent, the league announced Friday night.
Diehards Line:
The league, though, said it would reassess if a team signs Brown. “Our office is presently investigating multiple allegations," the NFL said in a statement, "some of which are the subject of pending litigation. We have as yet made no findings regarding these issues. The investigation is ongoing and will be pursued vigorously and expeditiously. As long as Mr. Brown is a free agent, placement on the Commissioner’s exempt list is not appropriate. If he is signed by a club, such placement may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation. Upon the conclusion of the investigation, he may also be subject to discipline if the investigation finds that he has violated the law or league policies.” As PFT suggests, that likely is enough to discourage any team from signing Brown, if any team was interested in signing Brown. Brown still would be paid if he were placed on the Commissioner-Exempt list but would be ineligible to practice or play. Any team interested in signing Brown likely lets the NFL’s investigation play out first.