NFL Trade Rumors: Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. Unlikely To Be Dealt By Steelers, Giants In 2019

Odell Beckham Antonio Brown — Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants talks with Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers before an NFL preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 11, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The 2019 NFL playoffs haven’t even started yet, and there is already speculation that a few of the league’s best players could be traded for the right price. Antonio Brown reportedly no longer wants to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Odell Beckham Jr. didn’t exactly seem thrilled to be with the New York Giants at times this season.

The rumors have been significant enough that both Pittsburgh and New York were asked about them Wednesday. Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters he wouldn’t speculate about dealing Brown. Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman said the Giants don’t plan to trade Beckham.

Brown’s contract could be what ultimately forces Pittsburgh to keep the All-Pro. The Steelers would face a major salary cap hit by dealing Brown, who led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2018.

Antonio Brown has requested a trade. Im told it was not a demand but he has asked to be dealt. Very unlikely Rooney would capitulate. Brown has issues with Mike Tomlin and Ben Roethlisberger. Feels like the coach is too aligned with the QB.
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 1, 2019

#Steelers Mike Tomlin says he’s “not going to speculate” on a trade re Antonio Brown. Says he has NOT received any formal request for a trade.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) January 2, 2019

The Steelers re-structured Antonio Brown’s deal in March of 2018 and would owe $21.2 million in dead money on their cap if they traded him before June 1. That alone makes an AB trade extremely unlikely for a variety of reasons.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 1, 2019

Dave Gettleman on Odell Beckham: "We didn't sign him to trade him."
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) January 2, 2019

After Brown missed Pittsburgh's pivotal Week 17 contest with what was called a knee injury, it was reported that the receiver was actually benched. Brown reportedly got into a heated argument with Ben Roethlisberger on the Wednesday before the game, failed to show up to Saturday’s walkthrough and left the stadium Sunday before the game was over.

Brown hasn’t made a formal trade request, but he seems to have made it clear that he prefers to be on another team in 2019. The veteran made headlines for skipping meetings earlier in the season. If Brown does return to the Steelers next season, something will have to change.

The Giants and Beckham aren’t dealing with that kind of drama, though the superstar certainly had his issues in 2018. Not long after signing a record-setting $95 million contract, Beckham wouldn’t say if he was happy in New York in an interview with ESPN that got plenty of attention.

Beckham has a more tradeable contract than Brown. The Giants were reportedly open to trading the wide receiver last offseason, but they turned down any offers they received and signed him to an extension.

Beckham missed the final four games of the season with a leg injury. The Giants owe him a base salary of $16.75 million in 2019 after going 8-24 in the last two years.

National Football League