BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It was a fun few hours. But Antonio Brown to the Bills is dead in the water, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bills’ GM Brandon Beane: “We inquired about Antonio Brown on Tuesday, and kept talks open with the Steelers. We had positive discussions, but ultimately it didn’t make sense for either side. As great a player as Antonio Brown is, we have moved on and our focus is on free agency.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
Update from the #Bills on the Antonio Brown: After intense talks that went into last night, and almost getting there on trade compensation, Buffalo says they are out. The #Steelers now must find another suitor.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2019
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network sent Bills fans into a frenzy when he tweeted late Thursday night that the Buffalo Bills are closing in on a deal to acquire wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Sources: The #Steelers are closing in on a deal to send star WR Antonio Brown to the Buffalo #Bills. There it is.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2019
But things took a turn overnight, as some sources called the possibility of this trade "unlikely."
As talks continue on a potential Antonio Brown trade, and the situation continues to be fluid, “nothing is close” at this time, per a source. The Brown saga goes on. The Steelers has told teams that they expected, and wanted, this in place by Friday. That now looks challenging.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
A second person with direct knowledge of talks tells The AP that a trade between the #Bills and the #Steelers for Antonio Brown is not — repeat, NOT — in the works.
— John Wawrow (@john_wawrow) March 8, 2019
Moving the chances of #Bills acquiring Antonio Brown to the less than likely bin.
— John Wawrow (@john_wawrow) March 8, 2019
And can firmly report that nothing is considered "imminent."
Told Buffalo did contact Steelers regarding Brown as part of doing their due diligence.
How far it got beyond that is uncertain.
Brown, 30, has appeared in seven Pro-Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has been named an All-Pro four times.
Last year with Pittsburgh, Brown caught 104 passes and added 15 touchdowns for 1,297 yards.
In his career, Brown has 837 receptions and 74 receiving touchdowns. At this point, it's unclear what the Bills will be sending to Pittsburgh in return, if in fact the deal is made official.
Brown overnight Friday deleted a comment on an Instagram post by the NFL which said "Fake news alert."
FWIW, Antonio Brown commented “Fake news 🚨 “ on this post from NFL Network. I have no idea what that means but here we are. pic.twitter.com/NQS7p9DTza
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 8, 2019
