Following weeks of speculation and cryptic messages, Antonio Brown tweeted today (19 February) that he and the Steelers have decided to part ways.
Following a cordial meeting with owner Art Rooney II, general manager Kevin Colbert and agent Drew Rosenhaus, "everyone agreed the trade will be for the best," a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The news means Brown's time with the Steelers is all but officially over.
Rooney told reporters last month he wanted to hear directly from Brown on why the player wanted out of Pittsburgh before making any decisions. Brown suggested that happened today, commenting "we cleared the air on several issues"
Despite reports that Brown's social media actions have made teams hesitant to acquire the wide receiver, sources aware of the situation insist the Steelers are still seeking a high pick in exchange for Brown's services.
A contract with virtually no guaranteed money left on it makes a deal attractive for other franchises, although Brown has made it clear he wants to re-work the 2017 deal. The five-year, $72.7 million extension included base salaries of $12.625 million, $11.3 million and $12.5 million over the next three seasons -- very modest numbers for a receiver with an NFL record 100 catches in six consecutive seasons.
While teams would not be obliged to restructure Brown's deal, the wide receiver would most likely threaten to sit out until they do. The Steelers would take on $21.12 million in dead money by trading Brown but would offset that money by saving on his $22.165 million salary-cap hit for 2019.
The 30-year-old has caught 686 passes for 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns since the start of the 2013 season, the most in the NFL in each category during that span.
COVER PHOTO: New York Post / Antonio Brown
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