Antonio Brown Says 'Fake News' To Bills, Steelers Trade Agreement: Report

The Antonio Brown trade saga is finally at an end with the Pittsburgh Steelers ready to trade one of the best wide receivers in NFL to the Buffalo Bills. NFL insider Ian Rappaport reported that the two franchises were close to reaching an agreement but the player refuted the claim with a two-word comment Thursday night.

Brown’s career with the Steelers officially came to an end earlier this year when both the team and the player confirmed that their futures will be separate after a falling out at the end of last season. It all began prior to Week 17 of the 2018-19 season when the wide receiver had a disagreement with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and failed to attend practice and team meetings.

Initially, both the team and the player were hoping to reach a compromise but things didn't go in the right direction with Brown demanding a trade. The Steelers were expected to pay the wide receiver a $2.5 million roster bonus, but that is likely to be taken up by the Bills as it is owed not as a lump sum but as weekly payments through the course of the 2019-20 campaign.

It remains unclear what the Bills are parting with to sign Brown, but it is certain that they are getting a quality player. Brown has made four straight All-Pro teams, led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards twice and last season he led the league with 15 receiving touchdowns.

However, despite multiple reports claiming that Brown is on his way to Buffalo in the coming days, the receiver claimed that it was “fake news” by commenting on the NFL’s official Instagram page. The NFL cited Rappaport’s claim about the two franchises nearing a deal, but Brown immediately disputed the claim.

The Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins were also among teams that were interested in signing the wide receiver, but no team was willing to give up a first-round draft pick, which was the Steelers’ initial demand.