Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is headed to the Oakland Raiders. If only there wasn’t that Facebook thing about two years ago?
It was “The Veronicas” who sang… “Everything is f’d up straight from the heart. Tell me what do you do when it all falls apart?”
Barring something unforeseen, wide receiver Antonio Brown will officially become a member of the Oakland Raiders this Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm ET (1 pm PT). The Pittsburgh Steelers are sending the outspoken nine-year pro to the Bay Area for a third- and fifth-round draft choice in April. And Brown will sign a brand new deal with the Silver and Black.
Things have really been contentious between the seven-time Pro Bowler and the organization that made him a sixth-round draft choice in 2010 over the last few months. And perhaps it all started with that locker room video (credit TMZ) following the team’s 18-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 AFC Divisional Playoffs?
Nevertheless, roughly a month later, the Steelers would sign Brown to a four-year, $68 million contract extension. He entered 2017 having caught at least 100 passes each of the past four years and would continue that production. But it was throw of his own and not a pass by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at Baltimore that would earn a lot of attention.
Nevertheless, roughly a month later, the Steelers would sign Brown to a four-year, $68 million contract extension. He entered 2017 having caught at least 100 passes each of the past four years and would continue that production. But it was throw of his own and not a pass by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at Baltimore that would earn a lot of attention. As that incident was eventually pushed aside, Brown went about his business before being injured in a Week 15 loss to the Patriots. He missed the final two games but still wound up with 101 receptions.
But this entire story and the recent events really began to take shape during the final Sunday of the 2018 regular season. Due to his actions during the week leading up to the game, Brown was suspended for the home tilt with the Bengals. And things apparently got ugly between him and his quarterback.
The altercation that led Antonio Brown's benching last week was with Ben Roethlisberger. Im told it was fairly ugly and the WR was totally in the wrong. He went AWOL essentially for the 3rd time this season dating back to training camp
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 31, 2018
It’s been all downhill from there and most of it would occur on social media. In mid-February, Brown had this to say:
No conflict just a matter of respect! Mutual respect! He has a owner mentality like he can call out anybody including coaches. Players know but they can’t say anything about it otherwise they meal ticket gone. It’s a dirty game within a game. #truth https://t.co/MsSyBVd3Ny
— AB (@AB84) February 16, 2019
Later that week, there would be a meeting with Steelers’ owner Art Rooney II (via Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports). And change was on the horizon. “We agree it’s time to move on.”
Earlier this month, Brown sat down with ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. Ever since the team decided that there would be a trade, Kevin Colbert made it clear it would benefit his team. The Steelers made it clear that they were hoping to get a deal done ASAP. On Friday, there were whispers that the nine-year pro would be shuffling off to Buffalo. Maybe…
Update from the #Bills on the Antonio Brown: After intense talks that went into last night, and almost getting there on trade compensation, Buffalo says they are out. The #Steelers now must find another suitor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2019
Evidently, Brown had no desire to relocate to Orchard Park, New York. But that’s all now a moot point. The Raiders are sending a third- and fifth-round draft choice this year to the Steelers for the prolific wideout’s services (via NFL Network).
More fansided.com: Every NFL team’s best game ever played
Raiders are adding money to Antonio Brown’s deal: He now will have three years worth $50.125 million - with incentives to go to $54.125 million, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2019
Where there was no guaranteed money there’s now $30.125 million guaranteed, per source.
Safe to say that Brown will be getting a substantial pay raise. More importantly, is this the end of one of the more public player/team disputes in recent NFL memory? One never knows, does one?