Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown trade would usher new era
Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown has reportedly confirmed what we knew, that he wants a trade. A new era could be under way.
Antonio Brown reportedly no longer wants to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting a farewell video to his own Twitter followed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that he requested a trade. For anyone that’s been following the saga thus far, this is far from surprising. However, it’s the first “official” word that we have that it could happen.
Now, of course, the Steelers don’t have to meet the demand of their star wide receiver. Just recently with the Le’Veon Bell case, we’ve seen the front office get into a game of chicken and ultimately see the player in question sit out an entire season rather than sign the franchise tag. Thus, it’s not far-fetched to think that Pittsburgh won’t bend to Brown’s demands, especially since it would cost them a $20+ million cap hit in 2019 if he was traded (per ESPN’s Field Yates).
Having said that, with Bell all but gone and now Brown also wanting out of Pittsburgh, perhaps its best to hit a proverbial reset button and begin a new era for the Steelers.
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In regards to Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers saw in 2018 that their running game will be just fine. James Conner proved more than capable of carrying the load as the team’s featured back, even if he’s a slight step back in terms of talent from Bell.
When it comes to the receiving corps, the Steelers don’t have a player that can be what Brown is. Despite turning 31 in July, he’s still one of the game’s most dynamic and dangerous receivers. No matter the matchup, no matter the situation, he always seems to rise to the occasion on the field.
While he may not be replaceable, the Pittsburgh receiving corps wouldn’t be left high and dry if they were to trade Brown. JuJu Smith-Schuster has two seasons of establishing himself as a bonafide star in the making in this league and could come in and be the No. 1 guy. What’s more, the Steelers also drafted James Washington in the second round last year, so there’s upside in that regard as well.
If that weren’t enough, the Steelers would likely receive rich compensation in return for Brown in a potential trade. That compensation would surely include a high-end draft pick in 2019, a draft class that boasts a deep and immensely talented group at wide receiver. Thus, Pittsburgh could dip into that pool and further strengthen that group without Brown in the picture.
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Yes, it’s always a tricky situation when it comes to trading a premier talent in the NFL. Even still, this is a team that is set up to start a new era and not take too large of a step in the wrong direction in doing so. For the sake of the team’s locker room and the culture under head coach Mike Tomlin, perhaps it’s what’s best at this point.