According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers have found a suitable trading partner for disgruntled wide receiver Antonio Brown. In accepting Antonio Brown amongst their own, the Raiders will hand the star wideout a new $54.125 million deal, of which $30.125 million is guaranteed, as per Schefter's sources. The reported cost of the trade: a 3rd and a 5th round draft pick.
In freeing themselves of Antonio's $17 million per year salary, the Steelers will actually recoupe $19.8 million a year in cap space. So in essence, the Raiders have done good business in turning Amari Cooper into Antonio Brown if you come to think of it, considering the balance of draft picks in play. AB was first to report the transaction on his Instagram page, where he can be taking to the field in a photoshopped Raiders' uniform.
Technically speaking, NFL transactions of the like can't be deemed "official" until the new league year commences on Wednesday. This was a coup Jon Gruden and the Raiders, Derek Carrin particular, needed almost desperately, after coming up the clear loser in last season's Khalil Mack trade that re-energized the Chicago Bears. AB joins a Raiders' offense that ranked 18th in the league in passing efficiency, averaging 234.4 yards per game through the air. AB will inevitably usurp Jordy Nelson in the pecking order as Derek Carr's dynamic 1st option.
