The Antonio Brown saga is finally over. The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded the disgruntled wide receiver to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks in this year's draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
☠️☠️☠️ #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/ul6lIVk9dE
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) March 10, 2019
There it is. Antonio Brown has been traded to the #Raiders, source confirms. https://t.co/tR0SkfrOYt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2019
The Antonio Brown saga is finally nearing a close. Sources say the #Steelers are dealing AB to the #Raiders in exchange for a third round pick and a fifth round pick in this 2019 draft. Brown will also get a reworked contract that makes him the NFL's highest paid WR.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2019
With the trade comes a new deal for Brown, who will receive a new three-year contract worth up to $54.125 million with $30.125 million guaranteed, per Rapoport. The agreement makes Brown the highest-paid receiver (average yearly salary) in the NFL, edging Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants.
Contract details for new #Steelers WR Antonio Brown: 3 years, $50.125M, source said. Max value is 54.125M. He gets $30.125M guaranteed, more than the $0 he preciously had. The contract was he biggest hurdle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2019
Brown's desire to leave Pittsburgh has been known since December. He did not play in the Steelers' finale against the Cincinnati Bengals and turned to social media to express his interest in a change of scenery. Brown even expressed interest in playing for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers never seemed as interested in Brown as he was in them. Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch said that the team had not even reached out to the Steelers to inquire about the All-Pro receiver despite his offseason antics seemingly lowering his trade value.
Brown requested a trade on February 12. The Steelers met with him seven days later, and the two parties agreed to part ways. Brown and his representatives were not given permission to facilitate a trade.
Pittsburgh made Brown a sixth-round selection out of Central Michigan in 2010. He registered 104 receptions for 1,297 yards with 15 touchdowns through 15 starts with the Steelers in 2018. Brown has caught 837 passes for 11,207 yards with 74 touchdowns through nine NFL seasons. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro.