Brown’s agent seeks `permanent solution’ to helmet issue

Agent Drew Rosenhaus hoping for "permanent solution' to the Antonio Brown's helmet issue

The agent for wayward wide receiver Antonio Brown said Monday morning on ESPN he is working with Raiders general manager Mike Mayock for a “permanent solution’ to the helmet issue which has his client out of training camp.

“I’ve talked to Mike multiple times (Sunday). We are on the same page, we are working together,” Drew Rosenhaus said Monday morning on ESPN’s Get Up! “We’re trying to iron this out so everything can go smoothly the rest of the season. We’re looking for a permanent solution.”

Just before the last practice of the Napa session of training camp Sunday, Mayock issued an “all-in, all-out” ultimatum after Brown did not appear for the morning walkthrough or afternoon session.

Meanwhile, according to the NFL Network, Brown is still hoping his preferred model — the Schutt AiR Advantage — can be given approval by the National Operating Committee on Standards of Athletic Equipment. NOCSAE, by virtue of the collective bargaining agreement between ownership and players, judges equipment with regards to safety.

#Raiders WR Antonio Brown may not yet be out of options. My understanding is two more helmets — same Schutt AiR Advantage that he prefers — are being tested for possible use. They were made in different years than his original one tested. A 2014 and a 2010.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 19, 2019

NOCSAE has already rejected Schutt models presented by Brown for testing. The Raiders wide receiver believes the Schutt helmets are less restrictive in terms of vision. Rosenhaus said Monday morning it was a matter of familarity.

“I do think he’s gonna be back soon,” Rosenhaus said. “We’re looking into any and all options right now to resolve the helmet issue. Antonio is very genuine. He wants to be there, he wants to be a part of the team. He wants to practice. But he’d also like to do it with the helmet that he’s worn his entire life. He wore this helmet in pee wee football, high school college football at Central Michigan. He also wore this helmet his nine-year career.

“We’ve worked very closely with the Raiders, worked very closely with NFL. I hope people can appreciate, this is not a simple issue. The helmet is most important piece of equipment and he’s had same one every single snap of his football career. This is a major issue for him.”

The following was Mayock’s statement to the media Sunday:

“You all know that A.B. is not here today. So here’s the bottom line. He’s upset about the helmet issue. We have supported that. We appreciate that. But at this point we’ve pretty much exhausted all avenues of relief. So from our perspective, it’s time for him to be all in, or all out. So we’re hoping he’s back soon.”We’ve got 89 guys busting their tails. We’re really excited about where this franchise is going. And we hope A.B. will be a big part of it, starting Week 1 against Denver. End of story. No questions. Just wanted you guys to know where we were.”

Rosenhaus intially countered on the South Florida television station 7Xtra.

“I’m not sure we’ve exhausted all the options, as Mike Mayock said,” Rosenhaus said. “There’s no doubt it’s still an ongoing process. We’re still trying to work with the team and the league and the union.”

The Raiders signed Brown to a two-year contract extension worth more than $30 million, but paid only $1 million up front as a signing bonus. Brown is risking guaranteed salaries with $30.125 over the next two seasons if the Raiders seek to have his contract voided.