The Facts: The Bucs retained their entire 22-player starting unit from the Super Bowl championship squad, an unprecedented move in the modern era. The biggest-name reserve, however, remains unsigned. Brown is the lone man left on the list of notable Bucs free agents still on the market. It doesn't sound like a resolution is coming in short order unless Brown is willing to take fewer bucks to return. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Thursday on Good Morning Football that the Bucs and Brown discussed a possible return this week, including money, but noted "they're not close right now" in terms of the financial situation.
Diehards Line:"They want to bring him back, the Bucs do, just at a different number than he has in mind right now," Garafolo said. ... Brown played in eight regular-season games last season, generating 45 catches for 483 yards and four TDs. He added eight catches for 81 yards and two scores in three postseason games played. Brown still has lingering legal issues hanging overhead that likely won't be resolved in the short term. The NFL has said it reserves the right to suspend Brown again if any new information in the lawsuit comes to light. The 32-year-old wideout earned $2 million for his half-season last year. Per Garafolo, the Bucs would like to bring him back around that number, but A.B. would like something closer to market value. ... Stay tuned.