The New York Jets are out on Steelers WR Antonio Brown, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Steelers have begun telling teams that Brown will be moved quickly and to give their best offers as soon as possible. This comes less than 24 hours after Rapoport reported that the Jets had thrown their hat into the ring.
Mike Maccagnan said at the NFL combine that the Jets would explore every possible way to improve their roster this spring, especially when it comes to building around their franchise quarterback.
With the sweepstakes for Brown’s services intensifying, the Jets have bowed out. New York does not own its second-round pick in this year’s draft due to its trade up for Sam Darnold. With already limited draft capital and essentially unlimited cap space, the Jets deemed it not worthy to make a blockbuster trade for Brown.
Brown is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL and would have instantly boosted the Jets offense from pedestrian to potential stardom. However, he has become somewhat of a controversial figure this offseason and that might not mesh well with a second-year QB.
Over the course of a couple months, Brown has been at odds with the Steelers organization and Ben Roethlisberger. The disgruntled wide receiver met with the Steelers brass and decided a trade would be in everybody’s best interest. The Jets did their due-diligence to inquire, but a steep price was not worth the heavy baggage they were about to take on.
Expect the Jets to improve their wide receiver room by adding a slot receiver in free agency and potentially drafting another wideout in this deep draft class come April.
