Browner was handed his year long suspension after he failed a drug test and was already placed on Stage 3 of the NFL's drug-testing program. Stage 3 is basically like the final strike of a 3 strikes and you’re out kind of deal. Browner will be available to sign with an NFL franchise starting March 11th when he becomes an official free agent.
Browner informed the NFL that he was going to take legal action against the league if they did not revoke their suspension and allow him back into the NFL. The lawsuit was based on the fact that Browner should not have been on the Stage 3 program to begin with.
Browner was wrongfully placed on the Stage 3 of the NFL's drug-testing program, and was only placed on the program because he was unaware of the testing the NFL was still requiring of him while playing in the CFL.
Browner came into the league playing for the Denver Broncos and failed a drug test while with the franchise. His career seemed to be falling apart so he jetted for the CFL. While playing in Canada the NFL was still sending drug tests to Browner's former address in Colorado. While playing in the CFL he was unaware he had to perform the tests because he never received them. Since he did not turn in the drug tests it was recorded as a failed test and the NFL filed it as his 2nd failed test. So when he failed his most recent test last season the NFL considered it to be strike 3 against him and gave him the suspension that follows with three failed tests.
Obviously Browner should not have been placed on Stage 3 considering the circumstances and even with him being reinstated he will still have to face penalties next season.
The NFL made provisions for Browner's return which include being suspended for the first four games of the season and once he completes that his next four games will be non-paid, that's right he will be playing for FREE. However, somebody will be getting the money he will be earning, go ahead take a guess. Yep, it will be the NFL. Whatever team he signs with will still have to issue him a check for weeks 5-8, however he will then be forced to relinquish all of his earnings to the NFL and that money will also go against his teams cap (Each team has a cap of $130 million next season).
On the bright side for Browner, he will be getting an extra 4-5 game checks once his penalties are complete. If he would have finished out his original year long suspension he would have missed all but the final two weeks of next season.
When it comes to free agency Browner is surprisingly not a huge hit in the NFL because of all the baggage that comes with him. Browner's performance before he came to Seattle was below average, but in Seattle's defensive system he prevailed and became a top CB in the league (2011 Pro-Bowler). That being said, the only teams that will be willing to roll the dice with Browner will be either the Seattle Seahawks or a team with similar defensive schemes as Seattle.
Brandon Browner's time in Seattle helped form the most fearsome secondary in NFL history when he, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor started the "Legion of Boom".
If he was to return to the Seahawks he would not be handed the starting CB job back, instead he would need to prove to his coach and teammates that he deserves it. As for now the role opposite of Sherman is taken by another standout CB. The new starter for the LOB is Byron Maxwell, the former 3rd string CB but because of Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond's suspension last season he was given his shot. Maxwell took that opportunity and ran with it; catching 4 Int's in his first 4 starts and earning himself a spot to be a starter for the best defense in the NFL.
I think the Jacksonville Jaguars would be a great fit for Browner if he is not picked back up by Seattle, only because the Jag's coach Gus Bradley was the Seattle's defensive coordinator from 2009-2012 and has experience with working with Browner. He also played a pivotal role in shaping Browner into the CB he is today and lets face it, the Jag's need help all across the board.
Another option I think would be the San Francisco 49ers, if for nothing else than to have a mental advantage over the Seahawks, their NFC West rival who they could possibly play three times a year for the foreseeable future with the way they have been playing the last couple seasons.
Brandon Browner beat his suspension and although he will still will face some stiff penalties next season he will hopefully learn from these mistakes and be able to become an even better teammate and role model going forward.
Follow me on Twitter - @therealrikrok89
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