On Monday, reports emerged that the Pittsburgh Steelers would likely pull off the highly anticipated Antonio Brown trade in short order. Among the teams listed as showing interest in the talented, yet controversial wide receiver, was the Oakland Raiders.
Now, one day later, it seems the Raiders are emerging as the top suitor for Brown’s services. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Tuesday morning that “at least the team that has been most interested in him.”
From @gmfb: As trade talks continue for #Steelers WR Antonio Brown, the interest is real. And while there are others talking with Pittsburgh, the #Raiders are one team continually staying in the mix. pic.twitter.com/qwvOnjDuKo
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2019
Rapoport reiterated what he reported on Monday, which is that Brown is expected to be traded before March 17, when his $2.5 million roster bonus is set to kick in.
While there are teams interested in signing him, the market for Brown’s services is not very robust, which is surprising to some. Almost certainly this has to do with Brown’s history of disruptive actions in Pittsburgh’s locker room, and his recent scorched-earth social media campaign against the Steelers.