Antonio Brown: “Time to Move On”

It appears that the Steeler Nation is going to suffer one big heart attack. The best wide receiver in the NFL and possibly in the last decade, Antonio Brown reportedly asked again to be traded from Pittsburgh.

Several sources announced that news earlier today, and Brown himself indicated this scenario.

The player wrote a message on his Twitter account, saying that it is time to move on.

“Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years. Time to move on and forward.”

This action caused for the fans and the rest of the league to go berserk. Brown’s move could change the balance of power in the whole NFL, and there is no doubt that whichever team lands him, will get a huge boost of quality and become the title contender immediately.

Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years…time to move on and forward……….✌🏽 #NewDemands pic.twitter.com/fbIoFNdqK4

— AB (@AB84) February 12, 2019

The tension between the Steelers’ organization and Brown started last year when the player stated that the board is using him as coverage for all the bad results. The real problems are hiding away from the public, while he is in the middle of the attention as some kind of a “scapegoat,” as the sources say.

Before the last game of the season against Cincinnati Bengals, AB didn’t show up at the practice session. He didn’t notify anyone, thus violating the club policy.

The excellent performances were the only thing which kept him on board because his behavior turned to be very problematic throughout the whole stint with the Steelers.

According to one of his ex-teammates who wanted to hide the identity, coach Mike Tomlin didn’t have a good opinion regarding his wide receiver, except for football qualities.

Tomlin said on several occasions that as long as Brown plays at a high-level, there would be no problem of keeping him in the team. Otherwise, if his production decreases, he will be departed from the Heinz Field.

That opinion became public at the end of this season when Pittsburgh’s head coach mentioned the same thing at one press conference. Tomlin clearly said that player’s indiscipline “outweighs” his contribution to the team.

Brown has been superb this year, recording league-leading 15 receiving touchdowns, along with 1,297 yards.

In his 9 years in Pennsylvania, AB had 837 receptions for 11, 207 yards and 74 touchdowns. He also played as a punt returner and was elected to be a Pro Bowler in 2011 because he had 1,062 return yards. Back then he became the first professional player who had 1,000+ yards in both receiving and returning.

Besides that one, Brown was a Pro Bowl selection six more times.

His current contract was signed in 2017 and lasts throughout 2021.

It will be interesting to see what happens next because his trade will be one of the most significant things in the last few years. That is if it happens.

Even during the regular part of the past season, some rumors appeared that San Francisco 49ers want Brown, and according to most of the experts they are still the No.1 favorite for his landing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDr5ZpG7q4k

Brown’s trade request is not the only thing which put him in the center of media attention. The 30-year old didn’t appear in the courtroom earlier today, despite having a hearing about his incident from the November 2018. Back then the player was caught while driving recklessly, and over 100mph in the area where the speed limit was only 45mph.

His lawyer didn’t have the answer about his whereabouts, and Brown was fined $426.

He also had law troubles one week ago, when police had to come to his house and intervene after he and a mother of one his kids argued.

Tough times are ahead of the Steelers as another part of their deadly trio Roethlisberger – Brown – Bell leaves the town. After Le’Veon Bell decided to sit the whole season just to get out of Pittsburgh, Brown will leave too, and it seems that Big Ben is not far from the decision to retire.

We’ll see what happens next.