The situation with Antonio Brown in Pittsburgh is awfully tense right now. The All-Pro receiver’s relationship with the team appears to be strained following his absence from the Steelers’ Week 17 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. A report indicated that he’s asked for a trade out of the Steel City, while Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin was non-committal when asked if Brown quit on the team.
On Thursday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about where things stand with Brown. The biggest detail was that Rooney offered a little clarity into the superstar receiver’s future — while he said the team won’t release Brown, he did say that everything else is on the table.
BREAKING: Steelers president Art Rooney II said he s not going to release Antonio Brown, but “all other options are on the table.” He would not say Steelers are going to trade their All-Pro receiver, but left no doubt that is a strong possibility. Story coming soon on PG site.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 10, 2019
“Whether the situation can be reconciled and have him back on the team next year, we’re a long way away from thinking that can happen,” Rooney told Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette. “We’re not closing the door on anything at this point.”
Rooney went on to say that, while he won’t close the door on Brown showing up to training camp in a few months, “it’s hard to envision” a scenario in which he shows up. After this interview dropped, Brown posted a cryptic tweet that included a picture of him shaking Rooney’s hand.
Good Business #Boomin pic.twitter.com/LQPrBuuYPR
— AB (@AB84) January 10, 2019
Brown is not the first Steelers star whose relationship with the franchise turned sour this year, as Le’Veon Bell’s discontent with the team’s refusal to give him a well-deserved long-term contract led to him sitting out the entire year.
