The biggest move of the NFL’s offseason has a small but notable connection to the Green Bay Packers.
Antonio Brown, the All-Pro receiver traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Oakland Raiders on Saturday night, will now come to Lambeau Field to face the Packers next season.
The Packers won’t play the Steelers during the regular season next year. However, the Packers will welcome the Raiders – and their new No. 1 receiver – to Lambeau Field at some point next season.
Brown has terrorized the Packers in the past, catching 16 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns over two regular season games against Green Bay. In 2017, Brown sliced and diced the Packers defense for 10 catches, 169 yards and two scores in a 31-28 win for the Steelers at Heinz Field. His final catch set up the Steelers’ game-winning field goal.
The Packers were widely considered an ideal landing spot via trade for Brown, who wanted out of Pittsburgh and a new contract. He got both, leveraging his unique position to land in Oakland with the Raiders, who immediately re-worked his deal.
The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro has six straight seasons with 100 or more catches, and he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (15) last season. He’ll join former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson as Derek Carr’s go-to targets in the passing game in Oakland.
The NFL’s official schedule will come out next month. The Packers’ visit from the Raiders – and the homecoming for Jordy Nelson – now has another layer of intrigue.
