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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Ben Burrows

Antonio Brown: Buffalo Bills pull out of trade talks as Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver's future takes new twist

Brown's NFL future is up in the air ( AP )

Antonio Brown's NFL future looks more up in the air than ever on another wild day of trade speculation surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers' star wide receiver.

Brown is set to leave the Steel City after a rollercoaster nine-year run with a trade appearing his most-likely route away.

A number of teams, including the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins, have been credited with interest but it was the Buffalo Bills that emerged as the No 1 landing spot early on Friday morning.

NFL Network went as far as suggesting that draft pick compensation between the Bills and the Steelers was close to being agreed.

But despite "intense" talks Buffalo walked away amid strong suggestions that Brown would not commit to fulfilling his part of the bargain and showing up at his new team.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed "positive" discussions over a trade but that they had now moved on.

"We enquired about Antonio Brown on Tuesday, and kept talks open with the Steelers," he said in a statement.

"We had positive discussions, but ultimately it didn't make sense for either side.

"As great a player as Antonio Brown is, we have moved on and our focus is on free agency."

Brown's future now looks as uncertain as ever with teams now in a holding pattern ahead of Pittsburgh's March 17 deadline.

The wideout is due $2.5m in bonuses on that date, with his new team becoming liable for that payment and the player's salary on completion of a trade. 

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