The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to trade star wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders early Sunday morning.
The deal first reported by Pro Football Talk comes three days after Brown refused to play for the Buffalo Bills.
In exchange for the All-Pro receiver, the Steelers will receive a third and fifth-round draft pick. The Raiders will also reportedly make Brown the NFL's highest-paid receiver with a record-setting three year $50 million contract including $30 million guaranteed per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Brown hinted at the now completed trade on his Instagram story on Saturday and even broke the news himself by posting a picture of himself in a Raiders' jersey.
The Raiders and Brown have been connected since the offseason began. In fact, the Raiders have been the odds on favorite to acquire Brown from the Steelers.
Brown, who requested a trade almost a month ago, has been public about his desire to leave Pittsburgh.
Countless Instagram videos and tweets bashing Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger all but secured Brown's departure from Pittsburgh.
Tensions rose after a game-losing interception thrown by Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in a week 12 matchup against the Broncos. Following the loss, Roethlisberger criticized Brown's route running.
A disgruntled Brown's lust for respect peaked during a team practice prior to a week 17 meeting against the Bengals. Brown was reportedly sent home due to a disagreement with Roethlisberger and no-showed the week 17 bout, which had playoff implications on the line.
Labeled a locker room distraction by the media, Brown addressed his critics and his worth in an interview with ESPN's Jeff Darling.
Brown will be paired with three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr and high-strung head coach John Gruden to finish out his newly signed three-year contract that includes incentives to surpass $50 million.
Gone but not forgotten in Pittsburgh, the Steelers will be forced to pay over $21 million in dead-money, which is said to be the biggest one-year salary-cap charge in NFL history.
The addition of Brown is the first step of Oakland's offseason plans as the team is also expected to be aggressive in their pursuit for Brown's former teammate Le'Veon Bell.
preview photo credited to Complex
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