Butch Dill/Associated Press
Three teams have inquired about a potential trade for Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert revealed on Friday.
“If it doesn’t benefit us, we won’t do it,” Colbert said about what the team is looking for in a trade, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Brown’s future in Pittsburgh has been up in the air since the end of the 2018 regular season, when he missed a must-win Week 17 contest after being involved in a dispute with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the days leading up to the game.
The Steelers would win the Week 17 game but wound up missing out on the playoffs for the first time since the 2013 season.
Brown ultimately aired his grievances with Roethlisberger as well as head coach Mike Tomlin on social media this past week:
Antonio Brown @AB84
No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth https://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny
Antonio Brown @AB84
After the coach tell the team I quit while nursing some bumps then invite me to watch the show with same guys thinking I quit i can not stand with that! I’m the bad guy doe we miss post season think about it https://t.co/imrJ8jnnBc
Those comments came prior to a meeting with Steelers owner Art Rooney II. He later revealed that he met with Rooney on Tuesday and the two sides agreed it was time to go their separate ways:
Antonio Brown @AB84
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 https://t.co/DEgURchvhW
This comes less than two years after Brown signed a four-year, $68 million extension that, at the time, made him the highest-paid receiver in football. Brown would celebrate the deal by tweeting “Steelers for life,” and Colbert had declared that the organization wanted the wideout to retire in black and gold.
The relationship has since deteriorated.
No trade can officially be completed until March 13, the start of the new league year. However, Brown has decided not to waste any time in saying goodbye to Steeler Nation, even without a deal in place:
Antonio Brown @AB84
One thing I understand about this fan base and that I’ll never forget and always appreciate is your passion. Know that it’s all love this way and I am forever thankful for #steelernation !
(this is not a goodbye, just a thank u) https://t.co/5mCg5pRjXL
Antonio Brown @AB84
Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years…time to move on and forward……….
Even though Brown is entering his age-31 season, there figures to be plenty of interest around the league in the seven-time Pro Bowler. He has six consecutive seasons with 1,200-plus yards and has recorded double-digit touchdowns in four of the last five years. Meanwhile, he led the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns in 2018 while hauling in 104 catches for 1,297 yards.
While Brown’s public trade request may limit the Steelers leverage, the team has no intentions of giving away the star.
“We’re not going to move a significant player for less than significant compensation,” Colbert told reporters on Wednesday.
from A Viral Update https://ift.tt/2EqP6yY
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