Disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown and the Steelers have agreed it is time to part ways and Pittsburgh will look to deal the six-time Pro Bowler this offseason. Here are the latest reports and updates on Brown...
March 8, 5:53 PM:
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers are close to trading Brown, though the report doesn't say which team is about to acquire him.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports adds that a Brown trade is expected to be done within 24 hours.
March 8, 8:10 AM:
Amid a report saying the Jets' division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, were closing in on a trade for Brown, Bills GM Brandon Beane released a statement Friday morning via the team's Twitter account: "We inquired about Antonio Brown on Tuesday, and kept talks open with the Steelers. We had positive discussions, but ultimately it didn't make sense for either side. As great a player as Antonio Brown is, we have moved on and our focus is on free agency."
Though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted that the Bills were closing in on a trade for Brown late Thursday night, Brown commented "Fake news" on the NFL's Instagram post detailing Rapoport's report.
March 7, 11:30 PM:
The Brown sweepstakes could be over, and it appears he's going to one of the Jets' AFC East rivals. Rapoport reports that the Buffalo Bills are close to acquiring the star receiver from the Steelers.
For what it's worth, Brown apparently isn't buying it. In a reply to the NFL's Instagram post about the possible trade, Brown wrote "Fake news."
March 6, 9:03 AM:
While the Jets called the Steelers -- as GM Mike Maccagnan said they would -- there are multiple reasons why them trading for Brown is unlikely, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.
Vacchiano notes that the Jets are wary of Brown's baggage, genuinely like their receiving corps, and don't have a second-round pick to dangle via trade -- and have only six picks overall, so they know they don't have what it takes to get him.
March 5, 4:42 PM:
The Jets have 'made contact' regarding a potential trade for Brown, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says the Raiders have been the team with the most consistent interest in trading for Brown, with the Redskins also "maintaining contact."
March 1, 11:42 PM:
Oakland, Washington and Tennessee are the three teams that have shown the most interest in trading for Brown, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Feb. 27, 11:30 AM:
"Interest has grown" regarding a potential trade of Brown, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. "Ideally you'll like to trade him to someone you'd never play. But if a team comes through with the best compensation you have to weigh that."
Feb. 22 3:30 PM:
As the Steelers search for a trade partner for Antonio Brown, they have set some loose boundaries.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers will not trade Brown within the AFC North, nor to the New England Patriots, if possible. Ideally, the Steelers would like to send Brown to the NFC and get him out of the conference altogether.
GM Kevin Colbert said on Wednesday he would not totally rule any team out, but would be judicious in the process.
"But if those teams step up and say, 'Look, we'll give you the best picks or the best players,' then we have to make that judgement," he said. "OK, yeah, they're a competitor, but what they're giving us far exceeds what these other folks are willing to do. So, will we be selective? It depends on what the compensation is.
Feb. 19:
Disgruntled Steelers WR Antonio Brown met with team owner Art Rooney on Tuesday, tweeting after that both sides agreed a trade made the most sense:
"Had a great meeting with Mr.Rooney today we discussed a lot of things and we cleared the air on several issues! We both agreed that it is time to move on but I'll always have appreciation and gratitude towards the Rooney family and @steelers organization! #CallGod #Boomin"
While the Steelers agreed to work on a trade, they have not given permission for Brown and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to speak with interested teams, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Brown had made it clear last week that he wanted out of Pittsburgh when he tweeted what amounted to a goodbye to the Steelers.
"Thank you Steeler Nation for a big 9 years...time to move on and forward.......#NewDemands," he wrote.
Brown, 30, attached a video of highlights from his time with the Steelers with Lil Uzi Vert's "Now I Do What I Want" playing.
Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years...time to move on and forward..........✌ #NewDemands pic.twitter.com/fbIoFNdqK4
- Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 12, 2019
Brown and the Steelers have had a growing rift which came to a head at the end of the 2018 season when he clashed with teammates, was benched the final game of the season and battled some off-the-field issues as well.
Brown, arguably the best receiver in the league, is signed through the next three seasons and is set to make $12.65 million in 2019, $11.3 million in 2020, and $12.5 million in 2021.
The Jets have roughly $94 million in cap space for next season and must prioritize surrounding 21-year-old quarterback Sam Darnold with weapons.
Safety Jamal Adams has been open about wanting Brown to join Gang Green, including him in his recruiting efforts alogn with free agent Le'Veon Bell.
"I want you guys to come be a part of something special," Adams said on the NFL Network on Feb. 4. "I think we have a lot of new energy, new coaching staff. The sky's the limit, we're just missing a few pieces. If you guys come join us, there will be nothing like bringing a Super Bowl back to the Jets organization."