ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Steelers and WR Antonio Brown are on verge of a restructured contract that is expected to be completed shortly.
- Pro Football Talk reports that the Steelers have moved $4 million of Brown’s 2017 salary up to this season. Brown is still under team control through the 2017 season.
- Mike Garafolo points out that Brown was set to make $6.25 million this year, but will now earn over $10 million.
- Ian Rapoport adds that $8.975 million of Brown’s $10.25 million salary will be paid out in the form of a signing bonus.
- According to Schefter, the Steelers are promising to give Brown a true extension after this season.
Brown has posted a photo on his Twitter account that shows them agreeing to a new deal.
Boomin @RosenhausSports #Steelers pic.twitter.com/0JUg1gnlNc
— Antonio Brown (@AB84) August 31, 2016
The Steelers have made a point to stick by their policy to not negotiate new contracts for players who aren’t in the final year of their respective deals.
However, Brown has clearly outplayed his contract, and even though he isn’t getting the kind of long-term deal he was seeking, this seems like a reasonable comprise.
Brown, 28, is in the fifth year of his six-year, $43.04 million contract that included an $8.5 million signing bonus. He’ll make a base salary of $8.25 million for the 2016 season.
In 2015, Brown appeared in all 16 games for the Steelers and caught 136 passes for 1,834 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated Brown as the No. 1 overall wide receiver from this season, so his presence will surely be missed this week.
We’ll have more regarding the Steelers and Brown as the news is available.
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