Steelers President Art Rooney II Indicates Antonio Brown is Done in Pittsburgh

When the boss speaks, fans should listen – and today the words of Steelers president Art Rooney II indicated more than ever that the Antonio Brown era in Pittsburgh is over.

The Steelers President today in an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the team will look at ‘all options’ with Brown, and that it’s ‘hard to envision’ Brown returning in 2019.

“There’s not much we can do right now; we have time to make a decision,” Rooney said in the piece.

“We’ll look at all the options. We’re not going to release him, that’s not on the table. But I will say all other options are on the table.

“Whether the situation can be reconciled and have him back on the team next year, we’re a long way away from thinking that can happen. We’re not closing the door on anything at this point.”

Brown bailed on the Steelers in their season finale against the Bengals, skipping both practices and team meetings.

Nothing is going to happen regarding Brown quickly, as he’s due a $2.5 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year, or March 17, so look for the Steelers to make that decision on a trade within the next 60 days.

Despite the high salary cap numbers that Brown will have against the team ($22,165,000 against the salary cap in 2019, if dealt $21,120,000 against the cap), the team is not going to let that hinder him in dealing him for his transgressions against the team.

“That has to be taken into consideration, but, as I sit here today, “I’m not going to say that’s going to box us into anything,” Rooney said.

“If we decide something has to be done, we’ll figure out how to deal with that.”

It sounds like the team isn’t turning back on what they are about to do with Brown, which is go out and get the best offer they can for him.