Last Wednesday, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said the Steelers would only trade disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown if the deal made sense for the team.
Two days later, he told NFL.com that three teams had called to inquire about the All-Pro receiver.
Since then, according to a source, at least two additional teams have contacted the Steelers to inquire about Brown, bringing the number of potential suitors to five.
That could be good news for both the Steelers and Brown. The more teams involved in a sweepstakes for Brown, the better.
While the specific teams who have inquired about Brown aren't known at this time, what is known is that the Steelers would rather deal him to an NFC team. They would prefer not to deal him to an AFC contender and will also not trade him within their division.
Brown officially asked for a trade earlier this month after skipping out on the team before its regular season finale against Cincinnati. Head coach Mike Tomlin then chose not to play his star receiver in the game after Brown went missing for two days and did not return phone calls from the team prior to that game.
Brown has three years remaining on his current contract with the Steelers, which he signed before the 2017 season. The 30-year-old is scheduled to make a very reasonable $12.65 million in 2019, with salaries in the same range the following two years.
That's a bargain for a player who set an NFL record in 2018 with his sixth consecutive 100-reception season. He finished 2018 with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and a league-high 15 touchdowns, despite missing the final game.
Trade talks are likely to heat up this week as NFL teams descend upon Indianapolis for the annual Scouting Combine.
No trade can officially take place until March 13. And the Steelers would like to complete any trade before 4 p.m. March 17 when Brown is due a $2.5 million roster bonus.
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