Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown has formally requested a trade from the franchise following an end-of-season bust-up with the team, reports said Tuesday.
Brown, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, signalled his intention to leave in a post on social media.
“Thank you SteelerNation for a big 9 years…time to move on and forward,” Brown wrote on Twitter.
ESPN reported that Brown, who signed a four-year contract extension in 2017 worth $68 million, had officially requested a move.
The 30-year-old’s trade request comes after a tumultuous end to Pittsburgh’s season which saw him mysteriously fail to show up before their final game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The odds on Brown’s departure increased last month when Steelers President Art Rooney II said a reconciliation was unlikely.
“There’s not much we can do right now; we have time to make a decision,” Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“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.”
Brown’s no-show at the end of the season followed a reported altercation with Ben Roethlisberger during a practice.
Rooney however said he doubted one single incident has prompted Brown to seek a move.
“My belief is there’s more to it than an incident one day at practice,” Rooney said.
Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowler, has 837 career receptions for 11,207 yards.
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