A return trip \u2014 and even a potential back-to-back title \u2014 felt within reach, but the dynamic inside the locker room began to shift. Speaking on Bussin\u2019 With the Boys<\/a>, recently retired linebacker Lavonte David pointed to Antonio Brown\u2019s abrupt mid-game exit against the New York Jets as a factor that disrupted the team\u2019s momentum, suggesting it played a role in derailing their championship repeat hopes.<\/p>\n
LVD Blames AB<\/p>\n
\u201cI tell you this, bro, leading up to that, you saw it stirring up, you saw it brewing. He came one day, like we were in there or whatever,\u201d David stated<\/a>. \u201cWe were in the locker room, we were chilling in the locker room. He came in there, he was complaining about how I think he didn\u2019t score a touchdown or whatever, and I\u2019m like, bro, you had over 100 yards, what\u2019re you talking about? He [was] just like, pissed off. You can see that he might snap soon\u2026 To be honest with you, man, AB kind of messed up our chances of going to that second Super Bowl.\u201d<\/p>\n Lavonte David offered revealing insight into the events that led up to Antonio Brown walking out<\/a> of MetLife Stadium in 2022. From tense moments in the locker room to his interactions during practices and with coaches, David\u2019s account helps piece together what ultimately pushed Brown to make that decision.
The fallout from that incident effectively ended any remaining path for Brown\u2019s NFL career, but it also had a noticeable ripple effect on how the Buccaneers functioned throughout that season.<\/p>\n
![\"Buccaneers](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20220102_152808.jpg\")
<\/a>Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown\/via NFL on FOX<\/p>\n