Recently released WR John Brown says he would like to play for the Steelers

The 2021 NFL season has already gotten off to a rocky start. After the league announced the salary cap will be $182.5 million, teams were forced to start purging their rosters of veteran players who would cost the team too much money to retain.

You saw reports circulating like wild fire of players who were reportedly being released to create salary cap room for specific organizations.

One of those players was former Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills wide receiver John Brown.

To be completely honest, when the release was made, it didn’t send a shockwave throughout the NFL landscape. Seemed like another veteran who will be hitting free agency ahead of the 2021 season, but then Brown joined SiriusXM’s NFL Radio to talk about what went down.

When listening to the clip below, the first thing which stands out is how Brown talked about not having any idea the move was being made. He was under the impression he would return to the Bills in 2021, and he questioned whether quarterback Josh Allen had any say in the roster move.

He would continue, and when asked which team he would like to play for in 2021 he listed two teams. The first? The Pittsburgh Steelers. Take a listen to the clip below:

Here is the full quote from Brown in response to Ed McCaffrey’s question:

“I mean, you know, it depends who needs receivers. But I definitely, you know, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Big Ben is definitely good with the deep ball, and the Indianapolis Colts, the way they use T.Y. Hilton. When we played those guys in the playoffs last year I walked off and I’m like, this team, they’re up and coming, they’re going to be a problem in the next few years. So, you know, I got options, I feel like I would fit in anywhere, but those are just the main two off the top. Anywhere I can come in and help and be a small piece to the puzzle, or if they need me to be a big piece to come in and help younger guys out and move around and do what I have to do. Those are the main two teams, though.”

Brown is coming off a very disappointing season in 2020 where he battled injury. Brown only played in nine games, but was able to register the following stats:

Games: 9
Receptions: 33
Yards: 458
Average: 13.9
TDs: 3

There has been a lot of talk about the Steelers adding to their wide receiver room this offseason, and many are clamoring for a veteran to help lead the young receiver room. Brown would certainly fit that bill, but at what price?

The Steelers still have work to do before they can be considered “buyers” in free agency, and until that work gets done, either by cutting players or restructuring contracts, you can expect the team to be sitting idle while other teams make moves.

Nonetheless, be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for the new league year, NFL Free Agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.