Jets Discussing Antonio Brown Move

Set to be perhaps the key team in free agency, the Jets are also exploring what would be a massive trade.

The Jets have engaged in internal discussions about pursuing Antonio Brown, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports. They have not yet reached out to the Steelers about this, but Mike Maccagnan on Wednesday indicated he will probably do so soon. The Jets may not be one of the three teams Kevin Colbert alluded to when discussing where the Brown market stands, but it would make sense for a team with skill-position needs and a war chest of cap space to join this pursuit.

While the Jets are interested in Brown on some level, they are not going to give up their No. 3 overall pick for him, per Vacchiano. With the team not holding a second-round selection this year, that may put the Jets at a major disadvantage in this derby. New York does hold a high third-round choice, but that would be a difficult move for the Steelers to make — eating $20MM-plus in dead money and not receiving at least a second-round pick. Colbert said he would only deal Brown, his escalating baggage and all, if the return was appropriate.

Gang Green remains set to be a big player in the Le’Veon Bell sweepstakes, but it’s uncertain how far they will go to chase the All-Pro running back. Acquiring Bell’s teammate may be difficult, but the Jets — with their $100MM-plus in cap space — could obviously accommodate Brown’s interest in a new contract.

New York re-signed Quincy Enunwa to an upper-middle-class deal and plans to tender Robby Anderson at the second-round level. Brown, though, is certainly multiple tiers north of these receivers’ talents and would provide the Jets the kind of weapon they have not possessed in years — maybe ever.

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