Pittsburgh Steelers: Antonio Brown agent denies any issues
By Erik Lambert
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a rough spot. They were forced into a tie with the hapless Browns and then got carved up by Kansas City.
The team is 0-1-1 to start the season and it looks like things are coming unraveled. The defense allowed six touchdown passes at home against Patrick Mahomes who was making his 3rd career start. Le’Veon Bell is still nowhere to be found, seemingly dead set on holding out for the contract he thinks he deserves. If that weren’t bad enough, now the Antonio Brown situation has surfaced.
Brown has been a bit erratic since last season in regards to his conduct. It didn’t get much better against Kansas City when he was seen having an argument with offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner on the sideline. Matters only got worse when he was seen replying to a tweet after the game daring the Steelers to trade him. Last but not least he failed to show up for team meetings on the Monday following the game.
It’s not a good look at all. People are already speculating that the Steelers may be forced to make a decision on him, even going so far as to consider a trade. That’s when Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus reacted to the situation quickly. He told Adam Schefter of ESPN exactly what’s going on and that is has nothing to do with any sort of rift between the All-Pro receiver and his team.
1/2 Steelers' WR Antonio Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus: "The tweet yesterday was not in reference to anything other than Antonio responding to a person he knows. It was not directed towards a trade, or wanting to be trading. Any idea he was asking for a trade is not accurate.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2018
2/3 Rosenhaus: “Antonio had a personal matter. I talked to the team about it. His issue was unrelated to the tweet or his relationship with the team. Third, AB has an incredible drive to win. He just wants to win. That's all that that is.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2018
3/3 “That's not anything more than him encouraging his coaches and teammates to win. And that's what his entire focus is on. Any notion, any speculation otherwise, can be put to bed. This is a non-story that has been blown out of proportion. We can end this right here and now."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2018
Antonio Brown may be starting to feel the pressure
What could be eating at Brown? Perhaps it’s the fact that he senses the situation. He sees how the Steelers are treating Bell. They seem fully prepared to move forward with James Connor rather than reward a man who’s been a star for them for years. Adding to it is the rise of JuJu Smith-Schuster and other young receivers on the roster. Brown turned 30-years old in July. Even somebody as good as him has to look over his shoulder at some point.
Combined with the knowledge that this team seems to be losing steam after an extended series of playoff runs, his sense of desperation is heightening. He’s done everything there is to do in the NFL except win a championship. With his quarterback and himself aging, there’s only so many chances left. Every game matters moving forward. In that context, his frustration is understandable. Still, not keeping it under control is only hurting the team.