Steelers’ Brown in the balance
Keith Allison [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Wide receiver Antonio Brown after making a reception in a game in 2015 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Antonio_Brown_2015.jpg
After defeating the Bengals on Sunday, the Steelers playoff hopes were in the hands of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns fell to the Ravens, which eliminated the Steelers from the playoffs.
Though Steelers won their last game, they did so without star wide receiver Antonio Brown. It was suspected that he missed the game due to a knee injury, but the real reason was revealed two days after.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown was sat after throwing a football at one of his teammates, missing multiple practices, and missing Saturday night’s mandatory meeting before Sunday’s game. He arrived at the stadium for the game on Sunday, but was listed inactive and left at halftime.
Following these events, Brown requested a trade on Tuesday. Brown is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL. His 15 touchdown receptions led the NFL in the 2018 season. Brown also had over 100 total receptions for the sixth time in his career, along with 1,297 yards and his seventh pro bowl selection.
The Steelers have a tough decision to make in the upcoming off-season. Brown clearly wants out of Pittsburgh, but that might not be the best move for the Steelers organization. There are pros and cons to trading Antonio Brown.
If they traded Brown, they could receive a massive haul in exchange. They could get one or two high draft picks and at least one NFL-ready player. The NFL player would probably be a defensive back which would fill their biggest hole. They would be getting rid of someone who has caused trouble in the clubhouse and open up more cap space.
Trading Brown, though, could receive a lot of backlash. The Steelers would only trade him to a team in the NFC cutting out half of the league for offers. They would have to find a team that could take on his salary and be willing to trade high draft picks. They would also have to find a trading partner that would put up with his antics on and off the field.
Brown is still one of, if not the best, wide receiver in the league. Trading him would be a major move for the team, but I believe getting rid of a “cancer” in the clubhouse is the best thing for the organization.
What do you think the Steelers should do?
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