Perennial All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown remains an offseason fixture among San Francisco 49ers fans, yet a report from NFL Network Ian Rapoport suggests Brown is still open to mending things with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Don't write off a possible mending of the relationship between wide receiver Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not yet, at least.
True, the four-time first-team All-Pro displayed multiple social media suggestions of wanting to join the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, like this. However, he's also keeping things open with the team currently holding his contract.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are indeed exploring trade options but haven't given Brown and his camp permission to "facilitate a team."
Heading to ATL for @SuperBowl, the future of #Steelers WR Antonio Brown remains the dominant non-SB story. Where things stand: While a fresh start is now the preferred outcome, the team has not yet given Brown & his agent permission to facilitate a trade. It's in the team's hands
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2019
Additionally, according to the report, Brown remains in contact with some within the organization and could be willing to stay in Pittsburgh.
More on Antonio Brown: The #Steelers are exploring trade options, but Brown hasn't closed the door on returning. He's maintained a steady dialogue with some in the organization he's close with to express that sentiment. Still, he should draw significant interest on the market.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2019
Essentially, what this means is the Steelers still hold the proverbial cards here. They're not appearing to bend to Brown's overtures on social media, rather considering the options on the table while likely seeking the best possible return on an offseason trade. Earlier this month, Rapoport also reported any trade for Brown could be done with at least a second-round NFL Draft pick.
That hasn't changed many of the overtures Brown has reportedly made towards a possible blockbuster deal between the Steelers and 49ers, however.
Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens said he also spoke with Brown, as seen in Owens' appearance on NFL Network:
.@terrellowens says @AB84 kept asking him about the Bay Area 👀
📺: @NFLTotalAccess pic.twitter.com/D2bVJTbfF8
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 25, 2019
"He kept asking me, 'What's the Bay Area like?' Well, it's sunny, it's shiny, they have a great quarterback, management is starting to turn around, they have a new stadium there," Owens said. "And he's a guy that's very smart and savvy, and he'll be in Silicon Valley."
Per the latest from Rapoport, though, it looks as if the Steelers aren't going to simply ship Brown off for whatever they can get. And Brown isn't automatically going to assume he gets traded this offseason, either.