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Antonio Brown requests trade

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Per Jason LaCanfora on Twitter...

 

Antonio Brown has requested a trade. Im told it was not a demand but he has asked to be dealt. Very unlikely Rooney would capitulate. Brown has issues with Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Feels like the coach is too aligned with the QB.

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Per Jason LaCanfora on Twitter...

 

Antonio Brown has requested a trade. Im told it was not a demand but he has asked to be dealt. Very unlikely Rooney would capitulate. Brown has issues with Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Feels like the coach is too aligned with the QB.

teams spend a lifetime trying to find a QB and coach in tune with each other. Brown has been replaced by a younger faster version of himself. They would do good to get something from him now before he becomes a bigger distraction and it comes out how shitty of a team mate he really is.

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The cap hit the Steelers would take makes him near untradeable.

 

What is it with WRs and diva behavior? Yeah, there are plenty who keep their head down and do their job. But if you hear about some jackass who's a locker room cancer, even odds he's a WR.

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It seems like at the very least AB leaked to the press. That is a line some organizations take seriously when crossed.

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The cap hit the Steelers would take makes him near untradeable.

 

What is it with WRs and diva behavior? Yeah, there are plenty who keep their head down and do their job. But if you hear about some jackass who's a locker room cancer, even odds he's a WR.

 

 

I would agree that A. Browns contract makes a trade unlikely, but with the caveat that it is more possible for this type of deal to get done than it ever was in the past.

 

A rebuild mindset would be required on the part of the Steelers but I don't see it as a stretch because they couldn't get it done this year with Ben and Antonio anyway and each is a year older in '19.

 

Trade Antonio for picks, cut or trade Ben for picks, and it looks like the accelleration of Browns contract $$$ is workable with Ben's contract no longer in the picture. To me, as long as they can stomach a young starter at QB next year.........then they would have the cap room back in '20 along with a still young core.............Shuster/Conner/Young D+ the pick talent acquired in trade/s

 

In any case to my eyes its very doable without Ben.........and it doesn't seem like he is really "all-that" anymore

 

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/pittsburgh-steelers/

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What about an AB for OBJ trade straight up?

 

Interesting proposition - teams swap problematic, diva WRs. I keep OBJ if I'm the GMen.

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Interesting proposition - teams swap problematic, diva WRs. I keep OBJ if I'm the GMen.

 

 

These are the kinds of trades that won't work due to the AB contract situation. Brown no longer on the Steelers in any way means a bunch of $$$$ come due in the current year which were previously spread out as signing bonus/restructure ($$$$$ do not move along with the contract in that case).

 

OBJ '19 salary even if Ben cut would not fit the Steelers without a ridiculous amount of financial gymnastics (a bunch of other player contract restructures) because Brown leaving hits the '19 cap.

 

Only way forward if Brown is leaving is a bunch young/cheap players/rooks and or future assets unaccounted for in the cap like '20 picks. A butt-load (technical term) of cap room would be available in '20 if Ben is gone and AB's $$$$ have rolled off. Sometimes you have to go backwards in order to move forward, at least if you have painted yourself in a corner.

 

How is YOUR favorite teams GM setting your team up for future success or failure?

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Specifically it would be 21M in dead cap space instead of the 22M that they are due to pay him. On the flip side, Ben could be cut with only 6M in dead cap space and has only 1 year left. He is so close to retirement however that his trade value is very iffy. Maybe Denver for 1 or 2 years but highly unlikely.

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Specifically it would be 21M in dead cap space instead of the 22M that they are due to pay him. On the flip side, Ben could be cut with only 6M in dead cap space and has only 1 year left. He is so close to retirement however that his trade value is very iffy. Maybe Denver for 1 or 2 years but highly unlikely.

 

 

Agreed, cut with no compensation is the most likely in part because we know he will say he is retiring unless its a destination he wants to go. Antonio should bring alot of value though which is part of the equation when considering Ben. Browns contract, less the $$$ pulled forward by the Steelers, would be considered very cheap and potentially worthy of multiple 1st round picks IMO.

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Trade Ben to Jacksonville for their next 2 #1's and a #2. Trade Brown to San Fran for their next 2 #1s. Draft a couple QBs and start over. Then fire their coach and hire Harbaugh back into the NFL.

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Trade Ben to Jacksonville for their next 2 #1's and a #2. Trade Brown to San Fran for their next 2 #1s. Draft a couple QBs and start over. Then fire their coach and hire Harbaugh back into the NFL.

 

Methinks you have highly overvalued Ben and Brown, no way they fetch those kind of draft picks in return. Maybe a single first rounder, but as a GM I'd probably stick it out and see what I could get in the draft instead of trading the franchise for a near-retirement QB or a diva WR.

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Ben's not worth much at all on the trade market imo.

 

AB is worth more, but it's a stretch to think you'd get two firsts for him if the things that were said in the link Mike posted are true.

 

The steelers have a habit of leaking negative info about their players during contract disputes. If Brown pushes his was out of Pit they will make sure he's pilloried before he gets free.

 

The thing I don't get is why tf AB is even upset or acting out. He went for big stats, set the team TD record, etc. It's not as if Ben is ignoring him or he's being criminally underpaid - so why the angst?

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Methinks you have highly overvalued Ben and Brown, no way they fetch those kind of draft picks in return. Maybe a single first rounder, but as a GM I'd probably stick it out and see what I could get in the draft instead of trading the franchise for a near-retirement QB or a diva WR.

This is true. Ben is whiner and will retire at any moment. I'm not even a Pitt fan and am just sick of that whole team top to bottom. Kick him to the side of the road. I do think Brown would fetch a #1 plus though. He is a game changer no two ways about it. Diva's exist all over the league at the WR and CB positions. I think the league is getting used to them being that way to a degree. Trade him to NE.

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so - steelers fans - where is the problem here? is it brown or has tomlin or some other leader failed to keep the lockerroom in order?

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Smart people knew giving him the money he wanted was suicide.

 

you can't fix dumb

 

least team to give a WR top money and win it all?

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Steelers receiver Antonio Brown did not play in the season-ending game against the Cincinnati Bengals because he elected to sit out practice last week after a dispute with Ben Roethlisberger, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

 

 

This alone should put a nail in the coffins of Brown, Rothlisberger, and Tomlin. Why bother with this crap? They are a professional organization that is not run like one. This team has been in the news every week this year for all the wrong reasons. And it has only gotten worse as time progressed.

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i tend to agree. how in the world a team with THIS talent didn't make the playoffs is beyond me

 

This alone should put a nail in the coffins of Brown, Rothlisberger, and Tomlin. Why bother with this crap? They are a professional organization that is not run like one. This team has been in the news every week this year for all the wrong reasons. And it has only gotten worse as time progressed.

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The Steelers have so much talent, yet they can't even make the playoffs. I wouldn't want Ben or AB on my NFL team unless it was for a bargain.

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good. however, i cannot help but feel that AB is just a symptom. that tomlin is the actual illness

A good analysis of the cap implications of trading AB. It's not as bad as you might think.

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A good analysis of the cap implications of trading AB. It's not as bad as you might think.

definitely not as bad as I thought. I agree w Bouchette - the steelers are kinda forced into trading him because of his bs diva antics.

 

Now it comes down to who would give up a 1st plus for AB in that 5 day window in early March?

 

Colts? SF? Jets? Oak?

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definitely not as bad as I thought. I agree w Bouchette - the steelers are kinda forced into trading him because of his bs diva antics.

 

Now it comes down to who would give up a 1st plus for AB in that 5 day window in early March?

 

Colts? SF? Jets? Oak?

Maybe he can go to the Giants. Beckham and Brown can take turns whining about money and targets while Manning keeps dumping off passes to Barkley. :)

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Here's a link to a story detailing why Brown missed Week 17.

From that link:

 

 

According to several sources, Brown showed up at Heinz Field expecting to play against the Bengals. That surprised several players, including one who called the situation embarrassing and the worst Ive seen. That player said the entire situation and the way it was handled affected his desire to play in the game.

Sounds like Tomlin has totally lost control.

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From that link:

 

 

 

Sounds like Tomlin has totally lost control.

But why would it surprise several players? Don't most NFL locker rooms have a policy that if you don't show up for practice and/or meetings, you don't play?

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But why would it surprise several players? Don't most NFL locker rooms have a policy that if you don't show up for practice and/or meetings, you don't play?

I don't think him not playing was the surprise. I read it as the player being surprised that Tomlin didn't step in and do something about it earlier. Maybe make a statement during the week that he wouldn't put up with that sh1t and that he was benched? Just speculating. :dunno:

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Don't see Ben getting traded any time soon. And I doubt this is Brown or Ben as an ultimatum, Brown is asking to be traded period.

 

Move Forward with JuJu, Conner & Ben and trade Brown for a few picks. Use one of the picks for a receiver and what else do they need? Looks like they force a real low amount of turnovers, maybe they need some defense help.

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Intrestingly enough, AB's cousin, Marquise Brown just declared for the draft. He is Mel Kiper's # 1 WR prospect.

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lol. steelers should jump ALL over that

Intrestingly enough, AB's cousin, Marquise Brown just declared for the draft. He is Mel Kiper's # 1 WR prospect.

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I don't think him not playing was the surprise. I read it as the player being surprised that Tomlin didn't step in and do something about it earlier. Maybe make a statement during the week that he wouldn't put up with that sh1t and that he was benched? Just speculating. :dunno:

You may be right. Not sure.

 

Watch Oakland go after the guy. 😂

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I didn't read it like the player was surprised Tomlin didn't do anything, I read it like the player was surprised that AB showed up for the game expecting to play.

 

Brown screamed "I'm done!" and threw a ball at Ben & walked off. Then he didn't show for practice/mandatory meetings.

 

Tomlin gave him a day to cool off/rest up, then asked for an MRI which AB blew off then skipped the Saturday walk through.

 

Needing a win to have a chance at the playoffs Tomlin sat his best wr over his diva antics. Sounds reasonable to me.

 

However I also know the Steelers have a bad habit of leaking negative info about their players during contract disputes ala the Bell situation. Either way it seems like they are headed for a breakup.

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You may be right. Not sure.

 

Watch Oakland go after the guy. 😂

Dude, you're a funny guy. Not that you're a clown and you amuse me, but that you make me laugh.

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3 Bs are almost done. Ben will play 1, maybe 2 years more?

 

Amazing how the most dynamic O has imploded so fast.

 

Someone brought up a good point that the Steelers saved 14M from bell not signing the FT. This may mean more unused cap transferred from this year to next. Given the magnitude of the current situation, trying to trade or cutting him seems like the right move.

 

Tomlin is a great coach but also needs to start managing this stuff and not catering to the egos and divas.

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I just want to come in here to say how much I respect Nuk Hopkins. He is every bit as good (if not better) than Brown or OBJ and yet you never hear a peep from him. Brown and Beckham have played with HOF level QB's their entire careers while Hopkins has played with Watson for a little over a full season, and the likes of Brock Osweiler, Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, etc. He routinely makes incredible catches yet because he didn't make thee catch on SNF or has bleach blonde hair or makes outrageous demands or stream everything on Facebook live he's nowhere near as famous or valued. I would love to see the level of temper tantrums on the sidelines, interviews and social media posts if guys like Brown and Beckham had to deal with what Hopkins has had to deal with in his career. Brown feels underappreciated?! I can only imagine what Hopkins feels like. Also shot out to fellow hard nosed stand out WRs like Julio Jones, AJ Green and Larry Fitzgerald who let their play do the talking. Part of me really wants guys like Brown and Beckham traded to Jacksonville to see how good they really have it.

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Teams will never learn with Diva WRs. Great if you hit on one in the 2nd or 3rd. But when it comes time to pay them, just let them walk.

 

The Giants were dumb for paying OBjr. And he is more of a diva than Brown.

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Brown wasn't always a diva, and by all accounts is the hardest worker on the team. But success and accolades have gone to his head. Apparently the team election of JuJu as their offensive MVP was the straw that broke the camels back in this case. Juju is a phenomenal talent, but he's great BECAUSE of AB. Not getting the shutdown corner and or safety help on every play means Juju has many more chances to succeed. It was pretty stupid of the team to elect Juju MVP, but it may also say a lot about how they feel about AB and his antics. AB left a game early and left teammates hanging, don't think for a minute they forget that.

 

At the risk of being overly dramatic about it, Tomlin has created a lot of the damage in all this. At no point should you let your employees talk publicly about the money that other employees make. At no point should you let you employees criticize each other in a public forum. At no point should you allow rampant favoritism of one at the expense of several others. All this Tomlin has let happen. You never see Patriots players making the statements the Steelers players have. Two years ago it was James Harrison and the Alejandro Villanueva situation that tore at the team. This season it was Bell. Now in the offseason and leading into next season it's Brown. Every season it's playing down to the competition at various times when you can see the team entitlement and attitude of being better because they hear it all the time. The "players coach" is losing control every season. This is now the 3rd high profile player who is publicly admonishing Tomlin...what's the saying? First is luck, second is a coincidence, third is a trend?

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JuJu also blocks better, isn't a whining , plays through injury, and by any account is a great teammate and is coachable.

 

MVP. Most Valuable Player.

 

Maybe they thought he was more valuable to their team.

 

Either way electing team MVPs seems really high school level stuff.

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We've seen this act with the Steelers before - Santonio became Wallace who became Brown who will become JuJu.

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