Disgruntled Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown wants out of Pittsburgh, but for the Steelers to part with him would be costly - for both them and the team acquiring him.
By trading him, the Steelers would be on the hook for his $21 million prorated signing bonus. So, they must decide if they'd want to take that kind of salary cap hit to rid themselves of a headache who's also a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
And what would it cost an NFL team to take on that headache, who'll turn 31 over the summer but remains one of the NFL's elite receivers?
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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Steelers "are expected to consider trade offers" and he'll cost teams "a high pick, possibly a first rounder."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers will restructure quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract, which would create more cap room, perhaps to help absorb the cap hit from trading Brown.
Schefter's ESPN colleague, Chris Mortensen, reports that the Steelers would have "no issues" handling the cap hit.
Releasing Brown would cost the Steelers about that same in a cap hit (though they could spread it over two years if he's cut after June 1), so they're likely to be looking to get something for him. For example, the Raiders got a first-round pick this season from the Cowboys for wide receiver Amari Cooper, who's 24 and still on his rookie deal. While Cooper has potential, Brown has the track record (seven 1,000-yard seasons).
What might the Patriots - who have their own history with troubled receivers (see Moss, Randy and Gordon, Josh) - have in draft capital if they'd be in on Brown?
Plenty, thanks to their wheeling and dealing in the 2018 draft. Among their picks are their own first-rounder, two second-rounders (theirs and the Bears) and as many as three third-rounders, including the Lions pick and two projected compensatory picks because of the departures of free agents Nate Solder and Malcolm Butler.
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