NFL Rumors: Will Steelers Trade Antonio Brown? Pittsburgh Controls WR's Future

The Los Angeles Rams are preparing to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, but one of the biggest stories in football has nothing to do with those teams. Trade rumors surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown continue to circulate, with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport adding to the rumor mill over the weekend.

Rapoport tweeted on Sunday that the Steelers have not given Brown and agent Drew Rosenhaus the ability to seek a trade yet. The team controls Brown’s fate right now, and it is unclear if that will change soon.

Rapoport then went on to say the Steelers could actually keep Brown. The star receiver has reportedly “maintained a steady dialogue” with the team, meaning reconciliation might be possible.

This came just days after Brown took to Instagram to provoke speculation about where he will play next year. He posted a picture of himself in a San Francisco 49ers uniform being embraced by Jerry Rice. The NFL’s all-time leading receiver said in a radio interview that Brown wants to play in the Bay Area.

Rice even said he wants to act as a mentor for Brown.

Brown eclipsed 100 catches for the sixth straight year in 2018, but his relationship with the Steelers has been publicly frayed for several weeks. He missed the final game of the regular season after apparently skipping practice. There were reportedly problems between Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at that point, too.

Team owner Art Rooney II even made it sound like it would be unlikely for Brown to play for the team next year, but was seemingly more optimistic last week.