Steelers WR Antonio Brown says it's 'time to move on' in farewell message to fans

If there was any doubt about Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown wanting out of Pittsburgh, he erased it Tuesday afternoon on social media.

The subject of trade rumors since he was inactive for the final game of the season for skipping a team walkthrough and meetings, Brown penned a brief farewell statement that he shared on his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

“Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years…time to move on and forward,” Brown wrote in a post that was followed by a symbol of the peace sign and #NewDemands. A video of Brown highlights with the Steelers accompanied the post.

Brown’s post came just hours after he was found guilty for driving in excess of 100 mph on McKnight Road in November. Brown did not show for his court appearance Tuesday.

Brown has asked the Steelers for a trade, a source confirmed to the Tribune-Review. Brown has three years remaining on his contract. Although Brown would count $21.12 million in “dead money” against the salary cap in 2019, the Steelers would be off the hook for almost $39 million in salaries over the next three years if he is traded. Brown will make $15.125 million, including a $2.5 million roster bonus, in 2019 followed by $11.3 million in 2020 and $12.5 million in 2021.

Brown’s trade value reportedly took a hit last week when he was investigated for a domestic dispute that occurred at his Hollywood, Fla., home. Brown was not charged in the incident that involved the mother of his daughter.

The Steelers cannot trade Brown until March 13, the start of the new NFL league year. Brown is due a $2.5 million roster bonus on March 17, so it is believed the Steelers will try to trade him before that date.