If any of the recent rumors surrounding Antonio Brown are to be believed, the Pittsburgh Steelers have set the rest of the NFL a deadline of Friday morning to submit their best offers for the wide receiver. But with this supposed zero hour fast approaching, it would appear that more and more teams are counting themselves out of the running.
Some might see this as a sign that Pittsburgh already has an offer in hand that these teams are unwilling to match, while others will see it as an indication that no one is prepared to meet the Steelers demands. Either way, reports from Thursday now suggest that two of the favorites with the sportsbooks to land the wideout have dropped out of the race, with the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins no longer in the hunt for AB. As per ESPN reporter Dianna Russini.
Redskins sources also share they are not in the Antonio Brown sweepstakes.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 7, 2019
One Gruden brother out...
While the Steelers want to deal Antonio Brown before the start of free agency, preferably by tomorrow, more sources have shared tonight they are out. Add the Saints and Titans to the "out" list.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 7, 2019
The inclusion of the Saints among the teams being out implies there were in at some point, but the source may also just have simply responded to the reporters question about their interest. These three join the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals as two other teams who indicated they had pulled out of contention for the receiver a few days earlier.
The Antonio Brown sweepstakes are heating up: Sources say the #Steelers have begun telling teams that this is moving quickly and to give their best offers ASAP. This could wrap up soon. 3 new teams have jumped in the last 48 hours. Meanwhile, #Jets, #AZCardinals are out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2019
Those still hopeful of a first-round draft pick in return for AB might be equally disappointed to hear that Pittsburgh could be prepared to settle for less. As per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Thursday.
As of Thurs afternoon, no definitive leader in Antonio Brown trade sweepstakes. PIT still plans to field best offers by Friday, will assess situation at that point. For team, it's about best overall deal, from what I'm told, not simply 1st rounder or bust
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 7, 2019
With teams able to talk to impending free agents on Monday, it is understandable that the Steelers want to wrap up a trade for Brown before anyone gets a chance to fill voids at wide receiver via free agency instead. The longer the situation drags on into the start of the new league year, the more likely Pittsburgh will lose potential trade partners.
At this stage, the Oakland Raiders appear to be the Steelers best chance of finding a team willing to give them even close to what they want for Brown.