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The Pittsburgh Steelers have made it very clear this offseason that Antonio Brown is a priority. Brown still is under contract for the 2017 season, but the team is finally willing to negotiate a new contract with their All-Pro wide receiver as he only has one year left on his current contract.
This team policy was maneuvered the past two seasons when the Steelers gave Brown more money in prorated bonuses, but the time has come for the team and Brown to negotiate a new deal.
There were reports of the two sides meeting last week, and on Thursday Steelers GM Kevin Colbert confirmed those reports.
Colbert says Antonio Brown is only player they are actively negotiating with. "We want Antonio to retire a Steeler for Life". Kevin Colbert
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) February 16, 2017
A Steeler for life. Quite the difference from the talk following Brown’s Facebook Live video which went viral after Mike Tomlin’s post-game conversation was sent out for the world to hear. While many suspected the team has grown tired of Brown’s antics, the two sides seem intent on getting a new deal done.
The question now becomes, at what cost will the Steelers lock up Brown? Brown will likely demand to be one of the highest paid receivers in the league, and rightfully so. The former 6th round draft pick has set a new bar for receptions and yardage the past four seasons.
Brown’s potential contract could set the tone for the rest of the Steelers offseason. How much cap space is spent on Brown’s contract could dictate how much they can offer players like Lawrence Timmons and Le’Veon Bell, who are both set to hit free agency starting March 9th.
Brown’s deal is the priority right now, and the two sides are talking, but talking is far from signing on the dotted line.
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest on this story and other news surrounding the Black and Gold this offseason.