By Brad Belbert / Billswire.usatoday.com
Antonio Brown to the Buffalo Bills?
According to at multiple outlets, the idea isn’t as far-fetched as one might think just a day after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney said he doesn’t imagine Brown being back with the team in 2019. Both Spotrac and Forbes list the Bills as a possible trade destination for the troubled, All-Pro wide receiver.
While the recent “me first” drama between Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers seems to be the opposite of the culture Beane and McDermott are trying to create in Buffalo, there is no denying the talent Brown would bring to a position of need.
Here’s what Spotrac wrote about the possibility:
Outside of Sammy Watkins, who was hampered by injuries much of his career in Buffalo, the Bills haven’t had a bonafide WR1 in years. While they’re likely to address the position both in free agency and in the draft, bringing in a player of Brown’s capabilities would be a big step forward – though his recent antics would be a major red flag, as the current Bills’ organization has taken drastic measures to change the culture of the team of late.
After two years of retooling the roster and absorbing dead cap hits, the Bills now have the cap space to pull off a trade of this nature.
Here’s what Forbes dished on the subject:
The Bills have $87 million in cap room. Brown would help second-year quarterback Josh Allen like he would Rosen in Arizona. The Steelers probably would get a chuckle out of sending Brown all the way up to Buffalo as well.
After a year of Josh Allen lacking weapons on the offensive side of the ball, WR will most certainly be addressed, but it seems Brown ending up in Buffalo is still quite the stretch.
Unless Beane and McDermott feel the locker room is strong enough to keep someone like Brown in line, as they seemed to have with guys like Corey Coleman and Jordan Phillips, it is tough to see them risking trading away the assets necessary to land Brown.
Comparatively though, is a much more proven asset. The 30-year-old wideout has recorded 1,000 yards in every season he’s played at least 14 games in. The 9-year vet might be near the end of his prime, but he’s still an attractive playmaker teams would be interested in bringing in.
Nonetheless, this is the time of year where rumors and fantasy scenarios spread like wildfire, so buckle up Bills fans… it’s only getting started.