Antonio Brown signs with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and reunites with Tom Brady, but he won't be able to play right away

• Antonio Brown has signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
• The controversial wide receiver will reunite with quarterback Tom Brady after his brief stint with the New England Patriots last season.
• Due to various violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy, Brown will not be eligible for the Bucs until Week 9 of this season.

Antonio Brown is returning to the NFL — again.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the controversial wide receiver has signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Under head coach Bruce Arians' watch, Brown will reunite with legendary quarterback Tom Brady for the first time since the duo's brief partnership for the New England Patriots last fall.

Schefter reports that Brady — who was something of a mentor to Brown "on and off the field" last season, per ESPN — was instrumental in pushing his new franchise to pursue the 5-foot-10 32-year-old. During their lone game together, the six-time Super Bowl champion connected with Brown on four passes for 54 yards, one of which ended in a touchdown.

But Brady will have to wait a bit before welcoming his newest lethal weapon to the gridiron at Raymond James Stadium. Thanks to his troublesome behavior off the field over the past year — including allegations of sexual assault, intimidation, and burglary as well as multiple public meltdowns — Brown is currently finishing out an eight-game suspension from the league.

He'll be eligible to suit up for Arians' squad beginning in Week 9 when the Bucs are slated to host Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints for an 8:20 Sunday-night kickoff. Should Brown pass the NFL's COVID-19 protocols and refrain from the past behavior that resulted in his dismissal from multiple other franchises, he very well may be lining up alongside Brady for the second half of the season.

• Read more:
• Bucs head coach Bruce Arians bluntly shot down rumors of a reunion between Tom Brady and Antonio Brown
• Police say Antonio Brown has locked himself in his home after an alleged battery incident involving his trainer and a moving truck driver
• Antonio Brown went on a profanity-laced tirade, threw penis candies at police, and then posted it all on Instagram
• Controversial wide receiver Antonio Brown worked out with the New Orleans Saints, but there's little chance he'll actually get to play this season