Antonio Brown is set to become the highest paid wide receiver in football.
The talented wide receiver will sign a four-year, $68 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the onset of NFL free agency. The new deal pays him $17 million per year over the entirety of the contract and $18.5 million in the first three years. Brown is now tied to the Steelers until 2021.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter initially reported on the news.
Antonio Brown deal: 4-year extension worth $68 million – 17M per year over 4 years, and $18.5M over 3 years. Tied to Steelers through 2021.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2017
Antonio Brown To Sign Four-Year, $68 Million Deal With Pittsburgh Steelers
The 28-year-old Brown has one year remaining on his existing contract. His 2017 base salary is $4.71 million with an additional pro-rated bonus of $8,908,334 heading his way, per OverTheCap.com. The new deal kicks in the following season.
Brown continued to establish himself as a high impact wide receiver in 2016. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the fourth consecutive year, finishing with 1,284 receiving yards. His 12 touchdown receptions tied for the second best total in the league.
In the playoffs, he played a significant role in the Steelers run to the AFC Championship game. Brown’s 309 receiving yards in the postseason was the most among wideouts who didn’t appear in Super Bowl LI. In Pittsburgh’s 30-12 win over the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round, Brown caught two touchdown passes.
Brown is set to enter his eight season in the NFL. The Miami native was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. Prior to that, he starred at Central Michigan and still holds the school record for total receptions with 305.
Over the course of his pro career, Brown has a grand total of 8,377 receiving yards. That number is currently third all-time among Steelers wide receivers, trailing only John Stallworth and Hines Ward. He’ll be expected to move into second in 2017 as he’s just 346 yards behind Stallworth.
For now, business is certainly booming for one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL.
