Arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL is on the move. According to reports, the Pittsburgh Steelers are closing in on a trade to send four-time All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for a third- and fifth-round pick. Brown also received a pay raise as part of the trade.
Pro Football Talk first reported the news.
Antonio Brown is indeed bound for the Raiders.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 10, 2019
Per source, Antonio Brown's three-year haul will increase from $38.925 million to $50.125 million, per source. No new years will be added.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 10, 2019
Antonio Brown Trade Finalized: Pittsburgh Steelers to Send Receiver to Oakland Raiders
Brown sealed his own fate with the Steelers prior to Week 17’s matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. Leading up to a must-win game, Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger got into an altercation where Brown was “totally in the wrong”, according to Jason La Canfora. Brown reportedly left the practice facility and lost contact with everyone on his team, ultimately leading to him not playing in the season finale. According to La Canfora, this was the third time where Brown suddenly abandoned the team during the 2018 season.
That said, Brown’s one of the best receivers in the league when he’s actually on the field. Playing in 15 games, Brown finished the 2018 season with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. League-wide, Brown ranked ninth in receptions, 11th in receiving yards, and first in touchdowns. Brown’s fantastic season earned him his sixth-consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.
Brown first entered the league as a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. After spending the majority of his rookie year on special teams, Brown recorded his first 1,000-yard season during the 2011 campaign. After a relatively down 2012, Brown went on an unparalleled stretch of statistical success starting in 2013.
Over the past six seasons, Brown has recorded 686 receptions for 9,145 yards and 67 touchdowns. This comes out to a 16-game average of 119 receptions, 1,590 yards, and 12 touchdowns. During this stretch, Brown earned First-Team All-Pro honors four times. Brown’s combination of skill, durability, and longevity are unmatched, as nobody has come close to matching Brown’s cumulative output since 2013.
Brown’s best season probably came during the 2015 campaign. Playing in all 16 games, Brown recorded a league-leading 136 receptions for 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns. Brown did this despite missing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for four games.
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