Antonio Brown seems to have his mind set on a move across the country. To the Bay Area, to be more specific. The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver seemingly wants no part of his current team and would prefer a change of scenery with the San Francisco 49ers.
Of course, none of this likely matters to the Steelers, who have admitted they are willing to move on from the disgruntled receiver. But they won't simply trade him to the 49ers because that's where he wants to go. They are more likely to deal with the team which makes the best offer for Brown.
49ers legend Jerry Rice isn't the only Hall of Fame receiver in which Brown has confided. He has also spoken with Terrell Owens, who joined the PFTPM podcast this week to discuss the Steelers receiver.
"I've talked with Antonio Bown throughout the course of the year, and I've kind of known some of what has been going on," Owens told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "He's leaned on me for advice as somewhat of a mentor, so to speak."
Brown is a four-time first-team All-Pro receiver and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Owens believes he deserves a chance to play where he wants, which doesn't include Pittsburgh.
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Did Brown make it clear to Owens that he wants a change of scenery?
"Absolutely," Owens responded. "I think it's no secret now. I think by everyone putting their cards on the table, he wants to move on. I think the management knows that they want to at least try to maybe salvage (the situation), but at the same time, they want to get something in return if they do release him or whatever the case may be. They don't want to just let him go and get nothing in return.
"I think there's a lot of creative ways to possibly make that happen, and I'm sure if it bodes well for both parties, then everybody will be happy in the long run."
The most likely "creative way" would be a trade. Brown's activity on social media has indicated a desire to play for the 49ers. Was that made clear to Owens during their discussions?
"I've talked to him on a couple of occasions, Mike," Owens continued, "and like I said, I'm not here to air anybody's messages or anything, conversations. But he's asking me how the Bay Area was on several occasions. So honestly, it's no secret that Jerry (Rice) has already come out and said he wants to play there.
"I didn't get a sense that he really wanted to play there. I just thought he was kind of exploring his options. But again, he asked me how the Bay Area (is) on a few occasions. Like I said, you can't beat the weather out here.
"For someone with his ability and a guy like Jimmy Garoppolo at the quarterback position, you never know what can happen. You see how they play with and without Jimmy. You think of bringing in an offensive weapon like that to the team, that team can go a long way. It can shake up the NFC West."
The confident Owens, of course, had to throw his name into the mix as well.
"You throw me in the mix somewhere down the road, it could be a recipe for disaster," Owens added.
