Antonio Brown will be an Oakland Raider.
Brown posted two pictures on his Instagram account late Saturday night, one of him in a Raiders jersey and one of him with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr at the Pro Bowl with the caption, “Love at first Sight.”
A source confirmed the Raiders acquired Brown from the Steelers in a blockbuster trade that gives quarterback Derek Carr a No. 1 target he badly needed.
The Raiders traded a third- and fifth-round pick to the Steelers for the future Hall of Fame wide receiver, according to the source. The trade won’t become official until the start of the new league year Wednesday. Brown has caught at least 100 passes in six straight seasons, an NFL record for most consecutive 100-catch seasons. He led the NFL with 15 touchdown catches in 2018, to go along with 104 catches and 1,297 receiving yards. He has at least 1,200 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches in each of the last six seasons. The Raiders haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver in either of the past two seasons.
Oakland still holds picks 4, 24, 27 and 35 in the 2019 draft. The Steelers reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Brown early in the process of trying to trade him, but the Raiders eventually didn’t have to part ways with any of their first four selections this April. The Raiders felt they were out of the Brown sweepstakes as recently as last Wednesday, but they waited for the Steelers’ demands to drop before making a move for Brown.
The former Steelers wide receiver said he wanted more guaranteed money from his new team. According to ESPN, Brown will receive a new three-year deal worth up to $54.125 million with over $30 million guaranteed. He will now be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. Brown had three years and almost $39 million left on his contract with the Steelers, none of which was guaranteed.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock can’t publicly comment on the trade until Wednesday, but Gruden praised Brown (and then some) before the Raiders played the Steelers last season.
“They move him around everywhere. You don’t know where he’s going to be. He can run every route you dream up,” Gruden said. “I say that about other receivers but he can run double moves, he can run by you, he can run crossing routes, he’s very good after the catch. What’s the greatest thing about this man, I’ve told all of our receivers, if you get a chance to watch him practice, you’ll see what unlocks the greatness in him. He’s the hardest working man, I think, in football. Hardest working player I’ve ever seen practice. I’ve seen Jerry Rice, I’ve seen a lot of good ones, but I put Antonio Brown at the top. If there are any young wideouts out there, I’d go watch him practice. You figure out yourself why he’s such a good player.”
Carr let his feelings be known with a tweet late Saturday night, saying “Brother let’s get to work!”
Brown requested a trade from the Steelers after tensions boiled over between him and the team. Brown reportedly skipped a practice late last season and missed the Steelers’ Week 17 game because, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he threw a football at a teammate in practice. The Steelers started 7-2-1 last season but missed the playoffs after losing four of their last six games. Brown and Steelers owner Art Rooney II met earlier this offseason, and both sides agreed it was best to part ways.
Brown’s addition to the Raiders instantly upgrades a receiving corps that featured 33-year-old Jordy Nelson, Seth Roberts, rookie Marcell Ateman and Brandon LaFell in 2018. Tight end Jared Cook led the Raiders with 896 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns last year.
Brown is expected to be introduced at a press conference at Raiders HQ in Alameda, Calif., next week once the trade becomes official.
Chiefs release veteran LB Justin Houston to free cap space
The Kansas City Chiefs have released veteran linebacker Justin Houston after they were unable to work out a trade, freeing up $14 million in much-needed salary cap space.
The 30-year-old Houston signed a $101 million, six-year deal with the Chiefs in 2015 that was at the time a record for a defensive player. But Houston has been slowed by injuries the past four seasons, and has been unable to replicate the 22-sack season that helped him land the contract.
He was due $15.25 million this season. The Chiefs will take on $7.1 million in dead money.
Houston departs Kansas City having started 96 games and appearing in 102 over eight seasons. He had 78½ sacks to trail only Derrick Thomas, Tamba Hali and Neil Smith in franchise history.