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Report: Antonio Brown rejected $2 million settlement with Britney Taylor after discussions going back to April

According to a new report by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown rejected a $2 million settlement with Britney Taylor after months of talks. After the rejection, Taylor filed a civil lawsuit accusing Brown of rape and sexual assault.

May 28, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

May 28, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

Britney Taylor's civil lawsuit against Antonio Brown didn't come out of nowhere for the Patriots wide receiver. According to a new report by ESPN's Jeff Darlington, Brown rejected a $2 million settlement offer after two mediation sessions going back several months.

Per Darlington, Brown and Taylor held two mediations, one of which was as far back as April. The other reportedly occurred in May. Brown then had until last Sunday night, one day after he agreed to a contract with the Patriots, to decline the settlement. He rejected it "around the same time" he signed with New England.

Taylor filed the lawsuit on Tuesday after Brown turned down the offer. She accuses the Patriots receiver of rape and sexual assault across three separate incidents in 2017 and 2018.

May 28, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsKirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

May 28, 2019; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brown denied the allegations and reportedly plans to countersue for civil extortion. Since he is only facing a civil suit and no criminal charges to this point, the NFL won't place him on the commissioner's exempt list and the Patriots will be free to play him. Per multiple reports, Brown will make his Patriots debut Sunday at the Miami Dolphins.

The league has opened its own investigation into the allegations and plans to meet with Taylor on Monday. Neither Brown nor any of his representatives are expected to be present at the initial meeting. Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner, tells Darlington he has not yet been in contact with the league over its investigation.

Brown's months-long discussion with Taylor invites questions of how much the Patriots knew about the case before signing him, or whether they knew at all. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on ESPN this week that he and the receiver were aware of the possibility of a lawsuit for some time.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.

Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.