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The Pittsburgh Steelers talk a mean game when it comes to contract negotiations, but they also know how to keep their employees happy. Although the organization stuck by their guns with their rule on not negotiating new contracts with players, who aren't quarterbacks, who have more than one year left on their current deal, they also realized the special talent they have with Antonio Brown.
In the past three seasons there hasn't been a player more productive than Brown, or underpaid for that matter too. The team "took care" of Brown for the second straight year by ways of a contract restructure, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Steelers moved up $4 million from next year to this year, boosting Antonio Brown's base salary to $10.25 this year, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2016
The financial numbers move Brown to making over $10 million dollars this year, with a heft signing bonus to boot.
Breakdown: #Steelers WR Antonio Brown gets $10.25M this year (with $8.975M signing bonus) and a promise of a new deal next year, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2016
The team has been restructuring several contracts the past few weeks to help them have more cap space for deals like this, Vince Williams' new contract, to navigate through potential signings throughout the year and possible contracts still remaining for players like David DeCastro.
The Steelers, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, have promised Brown he will get a new long-term deal after the 2016 season, which fits into their contract guidelines of negotiation. Either way, both sides should be happy. Brown is being paid in 2016 as one of the highest paid receivers in the game, and the Steelers keep their most prolific playmaker not named Ben Roethlisberger content and prepared for a big pay day in 2017.
As Brown would say, "Business is Boomin'"
Boomin @RosenhausSports #Steelers pic.twitter.com/0JUg1gnlNc
— Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown84) August 31, 2016