If there was any doubt that Antonio Brown didn’t want to go to the Buffalo Bills, Brown apparently provided proof by releasing a recording of a talk he had with agent Drew Rosenhaus while the Pittsburgh Steelers were in trade talks regarding Brown.
The audio has not been independently verified, but it sounds like Brown and Rosenhaus chatting. It was released by Brown himself to the “Boomin’ Experience” podcast, according to Pro Football Talk.
In it, Rosenhaus is heard telling Brown, “When the Bills called me today they said, ‘If we make the trade, what are you guys looking for?’ I wouldn’t even give them a number because I know you don’t want to go there.”
Tim Benz: Who looks good and bad in released Antonio Brown trade conversation
Buffalo reportedly made the best offer to the Steelers for Brown, but Brown’s unwillingness to report to the Bills ultimately nixed that trade so the Steelers had to settle for the Oakland Raiders’ offer of third- and fifth-round picks.
"I wouldn't rule Oakland out." #Raiders pic.twitter.com/8UGlOSKayu
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) March 26, 2019
At the time of the taped conversation between Brown and Rosenhaus, that didn’t sound as if it was an expected outcome.
“Oakland, I think, is fading,” Rosenhaus said. “I kind of get the sense that they’re fading a little bit.”
According to Rosenhaus in the released recording, the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins were interested in Brown.
Other interesting nuggets from the alleged Rosenhaus-Brown recording:
- The two seemed to believe the Steelers would get (at least) a first-round pick in a trade for Brown
- Rosenhaus and Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert seemed to have a good relationship throughout the ordeal. “The Steelers have been good communicators with me,” Rosenhaus told Brown. “We’ve talked a couple times every day.”
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
