During the third quarter of the Buccaneers' Week 17 contest against the New York Jets, Brown shockingly took off his helmet, jersey, and pads, and then exited MetLife Stadium.
"He is no longer a Buc," head coach Bruce Arians said after the game.
On Friday morning, before Brown cleared waivers, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch took part in his weekly KNBR interview. Surprisingly, he was asked if his team might be interested in Brown given his 49ers might be headed to the playoffs with a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday or a New Orleans Saints loss.
"I'm so focused on this week," Lynch responded on the Murph & Mac show. "I haven't even thought of that, to be honest. You look at the kid, you feel sorry for him. That kind of spectacle, handling it the way he handled it. I don't know everything that went into it but you hope, if he needs help, he gets the help he needs.
"I care more for the person right now than about our situation because I'm not at that point right now. He's been a fabulous player in our league but I think when things start repeating themselves, you probably know the answer."
It's not a surprising response from the 49ers general manager, given the team's past endeavors to avoid locker-room distractions that might divide the players.
The 49ers and Rams are slated to kick off from SoFi Stadium on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Barnwell proposes Mac Jones trade the 49ers might not be able to refuse
The San Francisco 49ers have consistently maintained that Mac Jones remains part of their plans for the 2026 NFL season. The veteran quarterback signed a two-year deal last offseason, keeping him under contract through 2026 and out of free agency until 2027. That means any... -
49ers draft debate: Has John Lynch prioritized need over talent in early rounds?
I recently wrote an article on general manager John Lynch's performance in the draft. One thing that stands out is how poorly he does in the early rounds and how well he does in the later ones. How does a talent evaluator miss so badly in the second round with wide receiver... -
49ers speculation: Could a trade for A.J. Brown include Brandon Aiyuk?
The San Francisco 49ers may find themselves in the market for another impact wide receiver this offseason. With Brandon Aiyuk's tenure in San Francisco appearing to wind down and both Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne set to hit free agency, the position could look very... -
49ers' George Kittle is PFF's top TE — but can he return to form?
When it comes to elite NFL tight ends, George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers still sets the standard. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Kittle was the highest-graded tight end in 2025, earning a stellar 90.7 offensive grade. Even in an injury-shortened campaign, the...