The offseason saga between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Antonio Brown has been like a reality TV show. The seven-time Pro Bowler was frustrated with the organization during the season and has not truly made amends with them.
Brown’s recent social media activity indicates that he will not be a Pittsburgh Steeler in 2019.
This sudden change of heart from the star wide receiver comes right after he was found guilty for reckless driving. Brown was stopped by police in Ross Township, Pennsylvania after allegedly driving his black Porsche over 100 miles per hour. His offseason was already complicated as the NFL is currently investigating him for an alleged domestic dispute with Ms. Jackson, the mother of his child.
Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years…time to move on and forward……….✌🏽 #NewDemands pic.twitter.com/fbIoFNdqK4
— AB (@AB84) February 12, 2019
The troubling offseason for Brown has put stress on the Steelers’ organization, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 2009. Le’Veon Bell did not play at all for the Steelers this season and will most likely play elsewhere in 2019. Ben Roethlisberger will turn 37 on March 2 and does not have a lot of good years left in him.
Getting rid of Brown would help the organization moving forward, but it’ll cost the Steelers a lot of money. According to ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, the Steelers would have to get trade of Brown before St. Patrick’s Day to avoid paying him the $2.5 million roster bonus. Even if they do manage to find a trade partner, the Steelers would still have a cap hit of $21.12 million.
Brown’s contract also affects the Steelers as he is due over $36 million over the next three years. That’s a lot of money to be paying a receiver who turns 31 before the start of the new season. Brown has been one of the best receivers in the NFL over the past couple of seasons, but this offseason has not been kind to him.
If Brown does find a new home for the 2019 season, the Steelers will not be getting a whole lot of return on their investment.
