NFL Offseason: Mr. Big Treasure Chest

Mr. Big Chest is on the move.

Sunday, March 10, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was dealt to the Oakland Raiders, according to NFL Network.

In exchange for the star wide receiver, the Steelers will receive a third and fifth-round pick in this year’s Draft. In addition to changing teams, the disgruntled wide receiver will receive a reworked contract with more guaranteed money. Brown’s new contract will be a three year deal worth $50.125 million dollars, with $30.125 million guaranteed.

Jon Gruden received a lot of flack last season for dealing all-world pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Bears, and for dealing no. 1 receiver Amari Cooper to the Cowboys. For those two deals, the Raiders received three first round picks in the upcoming draft. Lacking true star power on the roster, Gruden went out and got a future Hall of Famer in Brown who is just entering his prime, only giving up two mid-round picks for his services.

After nearly being traded to the Buffalo Bills, Brown lands with a team flush with cap space – the Raiders have around $60 million in cap space compared to the Steelers’ $11 million, according to overthecap.com.

The trade puts an end to a relationship that turned toxic these past few months. Last season, the Steelers benched Brown in the season finale for missing practice. Since then, Brown had been lobbying for other teams to trade for him. But everything worked out in the end. The Raiders got a future Hall of Fame receiver in his prime; the Steelers got rid of a locker room headache; and Mr. Big Chest himself got a bigger contract with more money. Win-win-win.