Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has officially asked to be traded. Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news on Tuesday, and online betting sites went to work determining new odds on where the frustrated receiver might land.
One online betting site named the San Francisco 49ers as the favorites to land Brown, followed by the Steelers, New York Jets, and Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh might opt to ship Brown outside of the AFC, which would give San Francisco an edge. That was Willie McGinest's thinking when he was asked on NFL Total Access where he thinks the receiver will play in 2019.
"I think San Francisco would be a perfect fit," said McGinest. "Here's a team with a boatload of cash that needs a receiver, that needs a No. 1 guy for [Jimmy Garoppolo] when he gets back. Kyle Shanahan, a great designer of game planning for receivers, quarterbacks to be on the same page. Somebody to help spark your building, and he wants a fresh start. Send him to the West Coast."
There is no question that Brown's on-the-field talent would be an asset to the 49ers, who have lacked a true No. 1 receiver for years. It would also take some pressure off tight end George Kittle, who will likely be the focus of opponents' game plans next season.
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The real question is Brown's chemistry within the locker room and his ability to stay out of trouble off the football field. He made headlines this offseason because of his handling of the situation with his current team and some other issues which have arisen. The 49ers have likely had their fill of offseason drama after dealing with Reuben Foster's troubles for most of last year.
Still, it is fun to imagine what Garoppolo can do with a talented target like Brown at his disposal.
David Carr also picked a potential destination for Brown but chose the Raiders. Of course, his brother, quarterback Derek Carr, plays for Oakland so that likely influenced the decision.
"Go ahead and send Antonio over to Oakland, or wherever they decide to play their games," Carr said. "Derek will take good care of him. It will be just fine. No issues."
