Up until lately, it was almost assumed John Brown would be among the receivers to make the Raiders roster. He was expected to be the replacement for Nelson Agholor. That will not happen now.
The veteran receiver has requested his release from the Raiders and that release has been granted according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
#Raiders WR John Brown requested his release and the team granted it, per source. “Smoke” is back on the market.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021
Brown saw 25 snaps in the team’s preseason finale and finished with one catch on two targets for two yards. Just being active made you wonder about his future with the team considering every other receiver who has even had a good chance of making the team didn’t play.
The Raiders starters for the season will be Henry Ruggs III and Bryan Edwards. That was the starters last year as well, but Agholor quickly won a starting job and never let go of it. Brown could potentially have attempted to follow that path as well, but for whatever reason didn’t feel like he was in a good situation in Las Vegas.