Antonio Brown Trade Rumors: Teams Already Reaching Out

Antonio Brown will not be part of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2019 season after he met with team owner Art Rooney II. The seven-time Pro Bowler had a tumultuous last season in Pittsburgh as he had issues with how the team was being run. The Steelers are open to trading Brown and a few teams have inquired about the 30-year old receiver, according to NFL.com.
General Manager Kevin Colbert said that three teams have reached out to the Steelers about Brown on NFL Network’s Up to the Minute Live.
“We’ve had, I’d say, three teams that have touched base with us and we’ll see how that grows,” Colbert said.”I think that’ll unfold over these next few weeks as teams get better perspective of what else there is available to them.”
The lack of teams with interest in Brown is a little surprising, but NFL free agency period has not even started yet. When teams go through their own free agents to re-sign, they will look at other teams to get the players they desperately need to help their team.
The NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis has also not started yet, where NFL teams will determine the talent pool in the 2019 NFL Draft class.
While his cousin Marquise Brown will not be competing at the combine because of foot surgery, prospects like D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown and N’Keal Harry are all potential first-round picks. If teams are not intrigued by this year’s receiver class, they will be trying desperately to acquire the seven-time Pro Bowler.
The Steelers will only trade Brown if they receiver an offer that benefits them.
“We’re looking at maybe not having this significant player, one of the best football players, not only on our team but in the National Football League,” Colbert added. “So, of course, if you’re going to subtract that player from your team, you better have compensation that justifies that. And that’s what we’re seeking.”
Brown will receive a $2.5 million roster bonus if he is still on the roster by March 17. The Steelers want to get the best offer possible for Brown as they try to move on from one of the NFL’s best playmakers over the past couple of seasons.