Steelers Notes: Antonio Brown, Mike Tomlin, Ben Roethlisberger

Antonio Brown

• While there has been talk that the Steelers trading WR Antonio Brown is too prohibitive, Tom Pelissero notes that it’s essentially a wash for 2019 and they’d gain flexibility in 2020-21.
• Pelissero adds that Brown has a $2.5 million roster bonus due on the 5th day of the league year in March, which should work as a soft deadline for making a decision on Brown.
• Aditi Kinkhabwala reports that “multiple teammates” did not believe Brown was hurt in Week 17 and think he quit on the team.

Mike Tomlin

• Steelers HC Mike Tomlin told reporters on Wednesday that WR Antonio Brown was a little sore on Wednesday, so he gave him a day off as he does with many veterans. From there, Brown was still sore on Thursday and Friday and they sent him to get an MRI. (Aditi Kinkhabwala)
• According to Tomlin, “it became difficult to communicate and catch up with [Brown]” on Friday and Saturday morning. Tomlin added that Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called him Sunday morning and said Brown was ready to play, but he told Rosenhaus: “That’s not how decisions are made.” (Aditi Kinkhabwala)
• Tomlin also said of Brown: “I haven’t spoken with him since’ before the game Sunday. We’re going to address him and the circumstance.” (Ed Bouchette)
• In fact, Tomlin said Brown didn’t attend team meetings on Monday. (Ed Bouchette)
• Tomlin did, however, make it clear that changes are coming to the team. (Aditi Kinkhabwala)
• Tomlin said they did not formally receive a request for a trade from Brown. (Mark Kaboly)

Ben Roethlisberger

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes the “distraction” of franchise RB Le’Veon Bell holding out hurt the team this year.

“It hurts you when you don’t have one of the better players in the game,” Roethlisberger said during his appearance on 93.7 The Fan, via Pro Football Talk. “But I think the biggest thing that hurts us was that it was a distraction. At his position we got to see James Conner and Jaylen Samuels, and I thought we got to see guys come into their own and see a glimpse of the future. I was really encouraged about life without Le’Veon.”