Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

Steelers To Trade Antonio Brown To Raiders

March 10th, 2019 at 7:59am CST by Rory Parks

Hallelujah, the great storm is over. The Steelers have agreed to trade Antonio Brown to the Raiders in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links). The news has since been confirmed by other major outlets, but Brown himself was (fittingly) the first to break the story, having posted a Photoshopped picture of himself in a Raiders uniform and a picture of himself and Oakland QB Derek Carr at the Pro Bowl (via Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area on Twitter).

RapSheet also tweets that Brown will get a new deal from the Raiders, which does not add any more time onto the three years he had remaining on his contract with the Steelers, but does make him the highest-paid receiver in the game from an AAV standpoint. Brown’s new pact with Oakland will pay him $50.125MM over the next three seasons, plus $4MM in incentives, for an AAV of $19.8MM. Plus, Brown gets $30.125MM in guarantees, and his contract with Pittsburgh had no guaranteed money left.

New Raiders GM Mike Mayock appears to have come out quite well in his first trade as the (figure)head of the Oakland front office, and the Steelers’ return has been universally panned. But as Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes (via Twitter), and as we have expected for some time, Brown’s erratic behavior and demand for a new contract torpedoed the Steelers’ bargaining position. Also, the fact that Pittsburgh was willing to accept such a low return suggests that the club was never going to bring Brown back and that it was more concerned about ridding itself of Brown’s antics, as Dulac tweets.

The Raiders played the long game, per Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter). The Raiders have long coveted Brown but believed they were out of the running for him as of Wednesday. However, they did not get desperate and try to up their offer, and in the end they got their man for their price. And the fact that they did not have to add any years onto Brown’s deal to convince him to sign off on the trade makes it even more of a coup.

So the Raiders get a dynamic wideout to assist in their rebuild and their transition to Las Vegas in 2020, but what about the Steelers? The trade adds some legitimacy to the speculation that the team is trying to appease quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at all costs — perhaps to stop him from retiring — and that the relationship between Brown and Big Ben had become truly untenable. Of course, the club has an excellent track record of finding top-tier receiver talent all over the draft, and they now add a second third-round choice to their 2019 draft capital along with a fifth-rounder to replace the one they sent to Oakland last season to acquire Ryan Switzer.

However, the trade is devastating from a salary cap perspective. As ESPN’s Field Yates tweets, Brown will now count for more against the Steelers’ cap in 2019 ($21.12MM) than any other WR will count for his own team. It is a tough pill to swallow, but as with every transaction of this magnitude, the passage of time may ultimately change everyone’s perspective.

Latest On Antonio Brown, Steelers

March 9th, 2019 at 9:47pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

It’s been more than a full day since the report that a deal was “close” to being done for Antonio Brown, but the Steelers haven’t moved yet. We still don’t have any word yet on where he’s heading, and it’s become clear that part of the holdup with trade negotiations is the fact that Brown wants a pricey new contract wherever he goes. After Odell Beckham Jr. signed his record-breaking deal last year, Brown “took note of the new money hitting the receiver market” and wanted to get in on it, writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

While Brown has apparently been plotting on how to get a new contract for a while, Fowler does caution that the “notion that Brown sought a trade and publicly criticized his team solely over a new deal is misguided.” In his article, which is worth a full read, Fowler breaks down how Brown is “working the system” to get a huge new deal while he still has three years left on his current one with the Steelers.

Speaking of Brown’s contract, we have more clarity on what exactly he’s seeking. Yesterday we heard he was looking to become the highest paid receiver in the NFL, and now we have more on his demands. Brown wants between $18 and $20MM per year on any new deal, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports hears (Twitter link). That explains why things have been taking so long. Beckham got $18MM per year on his deal, and Brown will have a hard time getting more than that. Beckham was 25 when he signed his deal, and Brown is 30. If any team is going to pay him quarterback money, they’re not going to want to give the Steelers any compensation for the right to do it. If that’s really what Brown is holding out for, it might be a while before this is resolved.

Roethlisberger Could Be Working Behind Scenes

March 9th, 2019 at 6:15pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

We heard yesterday that an Antonio Brown trade was “close” and that three teams were “still alive”, but over 24 hours later we still don’t have a deal. While we await an end to the saga, it’s worth examining why the Steelers are so willing to meet Brown’s demands and trade him, writes Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. Florio questions why the Steelers are seemingly “letting Brown dictate the terms of his employment,” and came up with a hypothesis based on his relationship with Ben Roethlisberger.

Brown has publicly gone after Roethlisberger in recent weeks, which could’ve solidified the Steelers’ resolve to ship him out. Florio theorizes that the feud between Brown and Roethlisberger isn’t just one-sided, and that Roethlisberger may be pushing for Brown to be gone behind the scenes. Florio thinks Roethlisberger may have given Pittsburgh’s management an ultimatum, and that could be why the team hasn’t tried to reconcile with Brown at all. It makes some sense, and if nothing else it’s an interesting theory.

Antonio Brown Would Welcome Raiders Trade

March 9th, 2019 at 8:41am CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders have continually been mentioned as a main suitor for Steelers wideout Antonio Brown, and it sounds like that interest may be mutual. Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal writes that Brown would “welcome the Raiders as a trade destination.”

Specifically, the wideout is intrigued by the team’s impending 2020 move to Las Vegas. Playing in an untapped market is one allure, and Brown would also avoid state income taxes in Nevada. The Raiders were previously mentioned as one of the three teams that have shown the most interest in the All-Pro wideout.

The one sticking point between the two sides regards a long-term deal; while Brown desires a new contract, the Raiders are wary of handing out big bucks to a 30-year-old wideout. As Gehlken writes, the team may decide to go with cheaper options at receiver, with the writer mentioning Tyrell Williams as a potential option.

On the flip side, the Raiders have the assets to trade for Brown (including three first-round picks), so they wouldn’t be taking a giant hit when it comes to draft capital. Plus, Brown would be a massive upgrade in an offense that lacks a dynamic playmaker. Brown finished last season with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Raiders’ leading receivers, tight end Jared Cook and wideout Jordy Nelson, combined for 131 receptions, 1,635 yards, and nine touchdowns.

We heard earlier this week that the Steelers were focused on completing a Brown trade by Friday, and it sounds like they were close to pulling off a deal. Early Friday morning, the Bills appeared to be on the cusp of acquiring Brown from the Steelers, but the deal was ultimately scuttled.

Details On Failed Bills/Steelers Antonio Brown Trade

March 8th, 2019 at 8:33pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Antonio Brown era with the Bills didn’t last long. Shortly after it was reported that Brown was headed to Buffalo, the report turned out not to be true. It was acknowledged by all parties that there were talks between the Steelers and Bills but we didn’t know many details of what exactly happened, until now. Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News came out with a story that delved into what happened, and talks apparently broke down because of Brown’s contract. Bills brass was going back and forth with Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, and “discussed a potential renegotiation of the receiver’s contract,” according to Carucci.

Carucci noted that the more new money the Bills gave Brown, the less compensation they were willing to give the Steelers in a trade and vice versa. Carucci shot down reports that Brown was mortally opposed to playing in Buffalo, writing that the Bills were confident that “if they met his financial demand and were able to make the trade, Brown would have happily joined them.” In the end, renegotiating Brown’s contract proved too difficult and is what ultimately led to the breakdown in talks.

Speaking of Brown, the Bills weren’t the only team to withdraw over Brown’s contract. Another team pursuing Brown walked away because “it was communicated to them” that Brown wanted a new contract that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL with any new team, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. It was previously thought that the Steelers’ demands for a first round pick might’ve been delaying this process, but it sounds like Brown’s contract is the biggest hurdle at the moment.

Steelers Close On A Deal To Trade Antonio Brown, Three Teams ‘Still Alive’

March 8th, 2019 at 5:08pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Antonio Brown saga might be coming to an end soon, this time for real. The Steelers are “close to a deal to trade Antonio Brown,” a source told Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Unfortunately, Dulac doesn’t speculate the team that Brown will be heading to, so we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out the details. In fact, Dulac says three teams are “still alive” in the process. Dulac doesn’t specify which three teams are still in the running. Brown was reported to be on his way to the Bills late last night, but that turned out not to be true.

Reports first indicated the Steelers were viewing today as a deadline to trade Brown by, but that was then walked back. All of the recent reporting has been that the Steelers continue to demand a first round pick in trade talks, and it’ll be very interesting to see what they end up getting back.

The Raiders have been one of the teams consistently mentioned as being interested, and they have plenty of draft assets to make it happen. Many teams have publicly removed themselves from the running, and the Steelers have seemingly been left without many options.

Steelers Trade Marcus Gilbert To Cardinals

March 8th, 2019 at 12:24pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers have agreed to trade tackle Marcus Gilbert to the Cardinals, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In return, the Steelers will receive a draft pick late in the sixth round.

The Steelers have been working the phone lines in an attempt to move Gilbert and they found a taker quickly after word broke on Friday. Gilbert, 31, has missed 23 regular season games over the last three years, but he can be a difference-maker for Arizona if he stays healthy and out of trouble with the league.

Since 2011, Gilbert has started in all but one of his games and he has graded out as a top 20 tackle in Pro Football Focus’ rankings in the past. Even in 2018, a down season marred by injury, Gilbert placed as PFF’s No. 41 tackle in the NFL.

The Cardinals’ offensive line was downright porous last offseason and the pocket failed to hold up around rookie quarterback Josh Rosen. Gilbert should help on that front, though the Cardinals – armed with the No. 1 overall pick – still have a ton of work ahead of them.

Latest On Potential Antonio Brown Trade

March 8th, 2019 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

We know that Antonio Brown is not Buffalo-bound, but, beyond that, his situation remains murky. The Steelers still want a first-round pick for the wide receiver and “several teams” are waiting for the club to reduce its asking price before making an aggressive pursuit, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

The Steelers’ leverage was already weakened by Brown’s outspoken criticism of the team and his refusal to join the Bills further complicates matters. It’s hard to imagine clubs offering significant draft capital for the star player when they can’t be certain that he’ll show up for work.

Teams such as the Redskins, Raiders, and Titans were in on Brown earlier this month, but no longer appear to be in the chase. We can add the Packers to that list, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Demovsky hears the Packers have not had any conversations with the Steelers – despite their glaring need for receiver help – and won’t jump in now.

Steelers Shopping Marcus Gilbert

March 8th, 2019 at 9:41am CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers are shopping right tackle Marcus Gilbert for a potential trade, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Gilbert tweeted an apparent farewell to the Steelers on Friday morning, so it sounds like a trade could be imminent.

Gilbert, 31, has missed 23 regular season games over the last three years. In 2018, a knee injury sidelined him in October, but other injuries and suspensions have limited him in the past.

When healthy and on the field, Gilbert has been a quality blocker for Pittsburgh. Since 2011, Gilbert has started in all but one of his games and he has graded out as a top 20 tackle in Pro Football Focus’ rankings in the past. Even in 2018, a down season marred by injury, Gilbert placed as PFF’s No. 41 tackle in the NFL.

The Steelers will work the phones to find a suitable deal for Gilbert and they hope he’ll cooperate with a trade, unlike teammate Antonio Brown.

Bills, Steelers Won’t Complete Antonio Brown Trade

March 8th, 2019 at 8:27am CST by Zachary Links

Early Friday morning, the Bills appeared to be on the cusp of acquiring Antonio Brown from the Steelers. But, for one reason or another, the deal was scuttled.

“We inquired on Antonio Brown on Tuesday, and kept talks open with the Steelers. We had positive discussions, but ultimately it didn’t make sense for either side,” GM Brandon Beane said in a statement. “As great a player as Antonio Brown is, we have moved on and our focus is on free agency.”

Ultimately, the deal was 86’d because Brown made it clear that he did not want to go to Buffalo, Albert Breer of The MMQB (on Twitter) hears. Now, there are “very few options left” for the Steelers/Brown, according to a source who spoke with Breer.

The Steelers hoped to move Brown by the end of the business day, but they may have to extend their timeline. At varying points, the Redskins, Raiders, and Titans were thought to be on the leaderboard, but their level of interest is unclear. Meanwhile, it’s a bit of a time sensitive matter for the Steelers – Brown is due a $2.5MM roster bonus on March 17, so they’re hoping to unload him before that date hits. They’d also probably like to trade Brown before the start of free agency in order to have a clearer picture of their own needs and finances.

The Brown sweepstakes will roll on for at least a little while longer and it could drag for months if Brown is intent on hand-picking his destination.

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