There's nothing worse in the NFL than a contract dispute that gets in the way of good football. That's why the Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Antonio Brown are doing everything they can to remain in good standing with one another.
Brown, who led the NFL in receiving last year with 1,698 yards to go along with 129 receptions and 13 touchdowns, will earn just $6 million in base salary this year. Overall, 11 receivers have higher annual pay days than Brown. There's no justifiable reason why he should be making the same money as Pierre Garcon and Victor Cruz. Although the sixth-year veteran says he has no plans to miss training camp, it's no secret that he is less than happy with his contract.
Typically, the Steelers do not extend players when they have multiple years left on their existing deals. That may not sit well with Brown, but Pittsburgh could conceivably give him a hefty pay raise in the meantime. J.I Halsell, a former Redskins salary cap analyst, suggested these solutions.
"*From 2015-17, bump Brown from $22.96 million ($6 million, $8.25 million, $8.7 million) to $34.5 million, while adding two additional years to his deal.
*Create a $16 million signing bonus that's prorated at $3.2 million until 2019.
*2015: $18.8 million payout (mostly the bonus), $9.787 million cap hit (no cap difference)
*2016: $5.512 million payout, $12.5 million cap hit ($462,000 cap increase)
*2017: $10.187 million payout, $15.475 million cap hit ($4.677 million cap increase)
*2018-19: $11.5 million each year, $14.7 million cap hit
*Average annual payout: $11.5 million"
This strategy would result in an additional $12 million being thrown Brown's way. It may not be in line with the Steelers' philosophy, but elite players get rewarded. It's a fact of the game. The Seattle Seahawks have given running back Marshawn Lynch a raise on two separate occasions.
Brown isn't demanding anything at the moment and he isn't threatening a hold out. But these types of issues tend to linger so it may be in Pittsburgh's best interest to get something done before this baloons into a full blown standoff.
