The Antonio Brown saga was one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. The wide receiver left the Pittsburgh Steelers on bad terms and looked to rebound with the Oakland Raiders. Instead, his brief stint in the Bay was filled with turmoil. He missed practice and workouts for multiple reasons, including frostbitten feet, displeasure with his helmet, and verbal altercations with his general manager.
Eventually, it got to be too much for the Raiders. Oakland released Brown before he ever played a game for them. Brown signed with the New England Patriots the same day, but now, reports are surfacing that Brown allegedly sexually assaulted his trainer while in Pittsburgh. The whole situation is difficult, but there's one player that couldn’t be happier that Brown is gone: Keelan Doss.
Here's why – Doss grew up in nearby Alameda and attended college at UC Davis. The Raiders signed him in April after he went undrafted. He had a fantastic preseason, hauling in 17 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. But the Raiders cut Doss from the practice squad before the regular season. He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, fully across the country, nearly 2,800 miles away.
After Brown's release, though, the Raiders suddenly had a need for another receiver. And they knew just who to call. The Raiders offered Doss a $300,000 signing bonus with a fully guaranteed $495,000 base salary, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It's a huge pay bump for Doss. An NFL practice squad player makes an average of $6,900 per week. Instead, Doss will earn about half a million dollars this year.
Doss also gets to play for the team he grew up watching. That’s a pretty cool feeling, no matter what city you’re in. And it’s all thanks to Brown – if his fellow receiver didn’t request a release from the Raiders, Doss would still be on the Jaguars’ practice squad. Life in the NFL can be grueling. But sometimes, a wide receiver can catch a big break.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Keelan Doss
- Impact of Antonio Brown's Release
- Career Highlights of Keelan Doss
- Final Thoughts
Biography of Keelan Doss
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Keelan Doss |
| Birthplace | Alameda, California |
| College | University of California, Davis |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| Draft Status | Undrafted |
Impact of Antonio Brown's Release
The fallout from Antonio Brown's tumultuous time with the Raiders opened doors for players like Keelan Doss. With Brown's exit, the Raiders faced an immediate need for a wide receiver, creating an opportunity for Doss to step in. This unforeseen change emphasizes how quickly fortunes can shift in the NFL based on circumstances beyond a player's control.
The Raiders recognized Doss's potential and made a significant financial commitment, offering him a contract that was far more lucrative than what he would have earned on the practice squad. This not only changed Doss's financial situation but also allowed him to live out a childhood dream of playing for the team he grew up supporting.
Career Highlights of Keelan Doss
Keelan Doss enjoyed a standout preseason that showcased his abilities, with impressive stats that caught the attention of NFL scouts. His performance, highlighted by 17 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown, demonstrated his readiness to compete at the professional level. Despite being initially cut, his perseverance paid off when he was called back to the Raiders, illustrating the importance of resilience in sports.
Doss's journey serves as an inspiring narrative for many aspiring athletes, showing that hard work and determination can lead to success, even in challenging circumstances.
Final Thoughts
The story of Keelan Doss is a testament to the unpredictable nature of professional sports. The Antonio Brown saga, with all its drama, inadvertently paved the way for Doss's opportunity with the Raiders. His journey from being undrafted to securing a significant contract highlights the potential for unexpected turns in the NFL. As Doss continues to build his career, fans and aspiring players alike can draw inspiration from his tenacity and dedication to the game.
