Antonio Brown to holdout?

[SteelBuckeye]

Brown is not getting traded this year. As it stands he has a cap hit of $9,787,500 this year. If they trade him, the entire prorated portion of his signing bonus money (original and restructures) hits the cap immediately. That's a cap hit of $9,662,500; or only a savings of $125,000.

So, if you trade him for draft picks, you still take almost his entire cap hit for this year, but no AB. Plus you're adding cap hits for the additional draft picks.
If you trade him for another player plus picks, you still take almost his entire cap hit this year, but no AB. Plus you're adding cap hits for the player you pick up and the additional draft picks.

Either they'll work something out, AB will cave or he'll sit out the entire year (not likely), but he's not going anywhere THIS year. Next year would be a different story.


http://overthecap.com/player/antonio-brown/1579/

 

[keslerclan]

As I said before, AB was only guaranteed his signing bonus @ 8.5mil meaning he has already received his guaranteed money. He is trying to capitalize on his huge stats to get a new deal (knowing he won't be in this position again) BUT I think we can mitigate w him and his agent by offering him more guaranteed money to the remainder of his deal. This way, IF he gets hurt or has a career threatening injury, he gets some money instead of getting cut with whatever money he has made to date.

That is about as far as I would be willing to go though. After this season, his numbers will come back to reality along with his stats, IMO.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'll get worked up when he starts skipping mandatory workouts and training camp.

 

[Troglodyte]

If they do work something out, I'm thinking it actually hurts AB long term.

If the Steelers pay him, they'll want an extension in return and it will be considerably less than what he would get if he played out the contract and became an UFA, or if the Steelers resigned him before he hits UFA in the final year of his contract.

He's demanding a new contract with very limited leverage.

 

[steelhurt]

Nothing will happen this season with AB. Next season is a completely different matter and if things don't calm down or he becomes a distraction then I would think after the 2015 season would be the time to move. All I have to know here is who the agent is and its Drew Rosenhaus. Enough said!

 

[xjx]

He signed a contract. He is obligated to honor it. If he doesn't, stop paying him and trade him. Let him try to get that contract from another team.

Geez, why do these players think they can get a new contract at the drop of a hat? OH, nevermind. I forgot. Many of these players really never attended college. MOst of them ever even attended classes.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

He signed a contract. He is obligated to honor it.

Only thing is, the teams aren't obligated to honor it. They can cut a player any time and not have to pay him any more than his signing bonus depending when they cut him.

 

[Troglodyte]

Only thing is, the teams aren't obligated to honor it. They can cut a player any time and not have to pay him any more than his signing bonus depending when they cut him.

On the other hand, the players aren't obligated to live up to their contracts either. The Steelers can't demand Cortez Allen give back last year's salary.

 

[Tibs]

Our mo' money recievers drive me crazy.

Going back to Plex and Super-Bowl Santonio, then young money crew Wallace, Sanders... and now slick-willy AB wants to make a stink. What's in the drinking water that makes our recievers go nuts after a few years?

Ahhhh, the calm, quiet years of Yancey Thigpen, Ernie Mills, Charles Johnson...Louis Lipps. Never a peep from those guys. Weegie Thompson never cried foul over a contract.

That was before the bling. These cats want to be rock stars. Pimp out with as much cash as possible, as soon as possible. < the holy grail for our twenty-year old wide receivers.

You have to credit the Steelers FO for finding so much talent over the years, just sad that it's a rotating door. Be warned when buying WR jerseys, don't take the wrapping off.

The one common denominator with all our shiny, prima donna WR's has always been Big Ben. These dudes should buy him a big *** golf course down south with mowed greens and automatic sprinklers.

Roethlisberger has been a rain maker for these guys, every single one of them.

 

[deljzc]

Let's get one thing straight. There is no such thing as "shut up and play".

Contracts in the NFL are only binding when it is convenient for both parties. When the team wants out, they can cut anyone. The negative being only whatever salary cap ramifications or overpayment has happened to date.

When a player wants out, they ***** in the media, hold out or both.

This is the game. This is the system EVERYONE knows exists. There is no reason to ***** and moan as a fan when you see this game being played (either by the team or the player).

Antonio Brown currently holds the most chips on his side of the table as any player right now, on any team. He has significant money in his checking account to play the hold out game and not lose a significant portion of his "net worth" as a player.

I mean (and this is the most extreme situation I can think of), Antonio Brown decides to sit out the entire season. He's out $6 million. He loses a season of statistics. But even if that happens and THEN the Steelers trade him or release him, he is likely to easily recoup the money he lost with a new contract somewhere else. Especially when compared to the $23 million he's scheduled to make the next 3 seasons. It is just not out the realm of reason to expect even if he loses one year and signs a new deal somewhere else in 2016 he's still going to pocket more than $23 million from 2015-2017.

That's his end game position.

Now the Steelers could continue to play hardball. Let him sit out 2015 AND the start of 2016. Continue to expect him to play. But what does that REALLY get the team? How does that help us win football games? Sure, they can do it, but teams (and coaches/GM's) rarely sacrifice a whole season (or significantly weaken a whole season) to prove a point. Eventually, cooler heads prevail and teams say "let's get whatever assets we can right now and cut bait".

It's a delicate negotiation right now. Both sides have some good ground to stand on with their positions. If both sides can SEE the other's point of view and see merit in it, an agreement can normally get worked out. If not, then this could end badly.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

On the other hand, the players aren't obligated to live up to their contracts either. The Steelers can't demand Cortez Allen give back last year's salary.

I don't think Allen's contract said he had to make so many INT's or so many passes defensed. I get what you're saying but that's what incentive bonuses are for, of course teams use less of those because of the salary cap and the possibility they can go over it with bonuses.

 

[black and gold apex]

Why do we always get this type player, I know all about business. Brown should look at History of two hot shot receivers in the past running for more money and where they are at today.

 

[Stryker]

The problem is, if AB decides to hold out for a year, not only is he not paid, but he doesn't lose a year off his contract with the steelers. He's back to square 1 in the same situation down a year from his playing career. Contracts favor the team over the player, and this is a big reason why players can't hold teams hostage in the middle of their contracts.

AB would have more clout with 2 years left, and with 1yr left, the steelers would be motivated to resign a productive AB to a larger contract.

AB has no bargaining power at all. He can hold out 6-8 games max so he doesn't lose a year off his eligibility, but seeing AB's work ethic and his love for the game, there is NO WAY he misses a single season game. He would not want to ruin his chance at breaking more records. This is a trojan horse, and AB will be playing this year under his current contract.

The only compromise is taking his 23M owed and rework the contract to paying more now with less salary in the 3rd year (which is moot since he should be getting a new contract before his 3rd year contract is up.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Yep, AB has too much to lose to sit out, but this is the only leverage he has for a new deal. The Steelers will be fair when it is time, but until then, he's going to have to play under his current deal.

 

[Xc944]

Just the next man up in the line of douchebag receivers

 

[keslerclan]

The deal w AB and his agent is...they have a point BUT one they should have thought about before this. He will stand to make another 23mil over the next 3 years IF he doesn't get hurt. (not out of the realm of possibilities for a guy his size and use)

Only a fraction of the 23mil is guaranteed IF he gets injured. I see his point.

Give him a larger guarantee portion of what he stands to make (relative to the 40% that most others are averaging at this position) instead of the 20% he currently has guaranteed (most of which he has been paid).

Maybe throw him a bone and offer some incentives (ones he knows he will have to work hard to reach, most of which out of his control). This way, IF one of our other WRs gets hurt and AB has to 'carry the mail' again like 2014, he will be compensated.

 

[AggieSteel]

You guys getting on Brown.. Just keep in mind, compared to other sports leagues, playing in the NFL is about the worst deal there is for the player. Very little guaranteed money compared to the "sticker" value of the contract, can be cut at any time, injury can end a career at any time and they won't see a penny more than what was previously guaranteed, short average career to begin with.. I don't blame these guys one bit to try to get the most they possibly can while they are at the top of their game.. Wouldn't you?

 

[thesteelcity]

You guys getting on Brown.. Just keep in mind, compared to other sports leagues, playing in the NFL is about the worst deal there is for the player. Very little guaranteed money compared to the "sticker" value of the contract, can be cut at any time, injury can end a career at any time and they won't see a penny more than what was previously guaranteed, short average career to begin with.. I don't blame these guys one bit to try to get the most they possibly can while they are at the top of their game.. Wouldn't you?

I don't blame him and this may be the best time to do with his numbers and production, but with three years left on the current deal, it will rub a lot of people the wrong way. He does deserve to get paid, but I don't know if this is how and when to do it. He is a hard worker, seems like a stand-up guy and at the top of his game. It will be interesting how this plays out.

 

[DocScott]

Best receiver in the game today, in his prime........PAY THE MAN!!!!!!!

 

[F83]

just increase his base salary and put in option bonus for stats, similar to how the pats @ jets have option bonus with Revis contracts.

 

[Wingman]

Brown is not getting traded this year. As it stands he has a cap hit of $9,787,500 this year. If they trade him, the entire prorated portion of his signing bonus money (original and restructures) hits the cap immediately. That's a cap hit of $9,662,500; or only a savings of $125,000.

So, if you trade him for draft picks, you still take almost his entire cap hit for this year, but no AB. Plus you're adding cap hits for the additional draft picks.
If you trade him for another player plus picks, you still take almost his entire cap hit this year, but no AB. Plus you're adding cap hits for the player you pick up and the additional draft picks.

Either they'll work something out, AB will cave or he'll sit out the entire year (not likely), but he's not going anywhere THIS year. Next year would be a different story.


http://overthecap.com/player/antonio-brown/1579/

The money end of it is important but not the only thing. The other thing to keep in mind is what can be had in return. Suppose the team gets this years and next years number one picks from a trade partner. I am also not sure how the signing bonus goes if traded, since he is still playing as woodley was when released his signing bonus did not accelerate into his last year but continued to be prorated over the rest of his contract years. I would not rule out any option at this point and would also say the steelers need to send a message regarding hold outs.

 

[Troglodyte]

Antonio Brown currently holds the most chips on his side of the table as any player right now, on any team. He has significant money in his checking account to play the hold out game and not lose a significant portion of his "net worth" as a player.

I don't think you can say a player with three years remaining on his contract holds the most chips. Losing out on several hundred thousand dollars week after week plus fines won't be easy regardless of net worth.

Even if the Steelers get rid of him after a year, he loses value going a year and a half without playing. It's also hard to know the options teams seeking a WR will have at that point and how it will affect his value.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Let's get one thing straight. There is no such thing as "shut up and play".

Contracts in the NFL are only binding when it is convenient for both parties. When the team wants out, they can cut anyone. The negative being only whatever salary cap ramifications or overpayment has happened to date.

When a player wants out, they ***** in the media, hold out or both.

This is the game. This is the system EVERYONE knows exists. There is no reason to ***** and moan as a fan when you see this game being played (either by the team or the player).

Antonio Brown currently holds the most chips on his side of the table as any player right now, on any team. He has significant money in his checking account to play the hold out game and not lose a significant portion of his "net worth" as a player.

I mean (and this is the most extreme situation I can think of), Antonio Brown decides to sit out the entire season. He's out $6 million. He loses a season of statistics. But even if that happens and THEN the Steelers trade him or release him, he is likely to easily recoup the money he lost with a new contract somewhere else. Especially when compared to the $23 million he's scheduled to make the next 3 seasons. It is just not out the realm of reason to expect even if he loses one year and signs a new deal somewhere else in 2016 he's still going to pocket more than $23 million from 2015-2017.

That's his end game position.

Now the Steelers could continue to play hardball. Let him sit out 2015 AND the start of 2016. Continue to expect him to play. But what does that REALLY get the team? How does that help us win football games? Sure, they can do it, but teams (and coaches/GM's) rarely sacrifice a whole season (or significantly weaken a whole season) to prove a point. Eventually, cooler heads prevail and teams say "let's get whatever assets we can right now and cut bait".

It's a delicate negotiation right now. Both sides have some good ground to stand on with their positions. If both sides can SEE the other's point of view and see merit in it, an agreement can normally get worked out. If not, then this could end badly.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. This is posturing.

 

[antdrewjosh]

You guys getting on Brown.. Just keep in mind, compared to other sports leagues, playing in the NFL is about the worst deal there is for the player. Very little guaranteed money compared to the "sticker" value of the contract, can be cut at any time, injury can end a career at any time and they won't see a penny more than what was previously guaranteed, short average career to begin with.. I don't blame these guys one bit to try to get the most they possibly can while they are at the top of their game.. Wouldn't you?

Exactly. If you under perform you get released. Numerous people were calling for Cortez to be released. Asking what's the cap hit. But AB has over performed. Not a little but a lot. He is performing at a best, no the best rate and can't ask for a raise? 6 mil base and the best are getting 12. He has every right to ask for more IMO.

 

[bermudasteel]

C'mon now. You know that NFL team hardly honor contracts themselves. Hell, non-guaranteed contracts in itself is a joke. Wanting your current value isn't Diva- its smart.

How many times have we seen teams basically force players to take paycuts, or cut them well before their contracts expire?

I have no sympathy for NFL owners. Open up that wallet, Mr. Rooney, and pay the man..

I agree - AB has proven that he should be paid in the 10mil - 12mil per year zone...

Trade him to Oakland for their 2015 1st and 3rd and 2016 1st. That will give us two top five picks and a third. Draft White or Cooper this year and maybe sign Brown in two years when the Raiders cut him.

Knee jerk much??? Trading AB sets this offense back tremendously. Period.

If he wants a new contract already he is just another DeSean Jackson. I can see when there's 2 years left making a statement (not holding out) and with one year left maybe not going to voluntary stuff. But with three years left if he holds out I'd trade him to the shittiest team I could think of to make a point.

You're OUT OF YOUR MIND!!!