On Tuesday, we received conflicting word on whether Antonio Brown has requested a trade from the Steelers. For what it’s worth, head coach Mike Tomlin says that Brown has not requested a trade. 
Of course, if Brown did request a trade, it wouldn’t behoove the Steelers to confirm that’s the case. What is clear, however, is that Tomlin is angry with his star receiver. Tomlin explained that Brown was benched on Sunday against the Bengals after failing to report to the team on Saturday. When asked if he thought Brown quit on the Steelers, Tomlin said, “You can call it what you want to call it,” (via ESPN.com).
“The bottom line is we were playing a significant game and he didn’t do a good enough job of communicating or being available in the hours leading up to that performance,” Tomlin said. “Obviously, there are some things within that you can infer.”
Brown signed a four-year, $68MM extension with the Steelers in 2017 and has been playing at a Hall of Fame level for several years. This year, JuJu Smith-Schuster took a giant leap forward and the two players formed a top-tier tandem. With three seasons to go on Brown’s deal, the Steelers are probably not inclined to trade him, and the wide receiver could very well cool off in the coming weeks.
Even Tomlin, who is clearly annoyed, wants to get things worked out.
“There’s disappointment, there’s no denying that,” said Tomlin about his history with Brown. “On a personal level, man, I’ve just learned over the course of time, forget my personal feelings. Or the challenges that come with the position. I don’t spend a lot of time focused on that. I better not.”
Brown, 31 in July, had 104 catches for 1,297 yards plus a career-high 15 touchdowns. Those numbers put him in the Pro Bowl, but they’re actually a step back from his finest work, which includes 1,500+ yards in 2017 and 1,800+ yards in 2015. Brown was an All-Pro every year from 2014-2017, but was unable to make the cut this year.
This is so irrelevant right now. We should be focused on the playoffs which this team is not a part of And not crazy baby mama drama. Thats what AB is. DRAMA.
This is called trade rumors not playoff team rumors
THECK….+99.
Tomlin has become nothing more than the company stooge as far as Brown and other players are concerned. Wonder what he will say after management makes him the fall guy (which will likely occur next season if the team misses the playoffs again).
La Canfora said he requested a trade, wrong again. How does that geek keep a job when all he does is spread fake news?
Whatever he says bet the opposite.
Steelers will do their best to deny and squash any hint of AB requesting a trade. That would significantly affect their leverage in trade talks
Thanks Zach for posting articles stating a trade was and wasn’t request. You have got all of your bases covered.
He reports what’s out there. He’s not “writing” in the sense of making stuff up.
This is what’s wrong with the media. To worried about getting something out quickly to scoop everybody rather than being accurate.
A fun drinking game: watch to Tomlin press conference and drink any time he says “obvious” or “obviously”. Be sure to have a lot of alcohol and maybe a paramedic on stand-by, you might need them.
He doesn’t have to ask for a trade, look at his twitter he’s made it obvious he wants to play for the 49ers. I can’t blame him why would you want to work with someone that is being disrespectful to you in front of the world? (Big Ben)
There are 70mil reasons why, not to mention without Big Ben he may have never had the career he has had. And do you have some inside source saying Ben was disrespectful toward AB? This is AB being a baby over not being team MVP.
He was disrespectful to AB’s route running, after he tried to blame him for throwing an INT right into the arms of a defensive lineman on the goal line in Denver. Yup, all AB’s fault
Disrespected his “route running”? Seriously? Stay on your meds.
The resident IDIOT is back
Or maybe Rothlisberger would not have had the career he has had if not for brown. The fact is Rothlisberger is a bad guy, a bad teammate and a bad team leader do not blame brown for wanting to get out. First it was bell now it is brown and then it will be someone else.
I watched the press conference. Tomlin said he was benched for an injury and lack of communication. Tomlin didn’t say what this article says. Fake News.