Antonio Brown trade to Bills falls through after reports of teams getting close
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 23: Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
UPDATE (Friday, 7:46 a.m.): The Bills announced via Twitter that they are no longer pursuing a previously reported trade for Antonio Brown.
A statement from GM Brandon Beane. pic.twitter.com/GK8wMqFTCA
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 8, 2019
The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills are rumored to be discussing a deal that would ship disgruntled star wide receiver Antonio Brown to Western New York, but there are conflicting reports among major NFL reporters regarding the validity of those reports.
Late Thursday night, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted that the two sides were on the verge of striking a deal.
Sources: The #Steelers are closing in on a deal to send star WR Antonio Brown to the Buffalo #Bills. There it is.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2019
But Vic Carucci, a national NFL reporter with ties to the Buffalo area, disputed Rapoport’s account in a tweet early Friday morning.
An NFL source says #Bills have inquired about Antonio Brown with the #Steelers, but no deal is imminent. In fact, another league source termed it "unlikely."
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) March 8, 2019
Brown’s social media activity appeared noteworthy late Thursday, when he apparently called the trade “fake news” on an instagram post on the NFL’s official feed.
AB has his say on the reported Buffalo trade 👀 pic.twitter.com/tvg39FCk7C
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) March 8, 2019
NFL Network Tom Pelissero indicated that the two sides have been working on a trade, but concerns remain about Brown’s willingness to play in Buffalo.
As the #Bills and #Steelers close in on a trade for Antonio Brown, one big question remains: Will AB go? He has said he wants a new contract and won't play if it's not by his rules. If Brown wants to blow this up, his weapon is saying he'll retire rather than play in Buffalo.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2019
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