It only makes sense that the most productive receiver in the NFL last season would look to cash in on what has quickly turned into a greenish market for young pass catchers.
On the heels of Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and now T.Y. Hilton signing massive contracts with their respective teams, the always open-minded Pittsburgh Steelers appear ready to redo a contract that currently makes Antonio Brown the 14th highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
Brown, 27, put up one of the best single season performances for a receiver in the history of the league last year. He led the NFL in receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,698) while tallying 13 touchdowns. Brown also caught a whopping 71 percent of the passes thrown in his direction.
Needless to say, Brown is due a raise from the five-year, $42.5 million extension he signed with Pittsburgh back in 2012. Going about it the right way, especially by remaining quiet on the holdout threats, it appears the Steelers are on the verge of rewarding Browns.
It was just three months ago that Brown sounded off on his contract situation:
“This is a community that I love,” Brown said Tuesday, via ESPN.com. “My kids go to school here. I want to keep a good reputation. Obviously money’s not important to me. I’ve got enough. The organization has extremely blessed me. I’m ready to play football.”
It's that type of attitude that makes Brown a rarity in today's NFL. It's also that type of attitude that might make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL before the regular season comes calling.