Pittsburgh Steelers: How the Antonio Brown trade looks in Pittsburgh now

Antonio Brown has shaken up the NFL as only he can. After the latest drama, how does the Steelers’ decision to trade him look six months after the move was made?

Back in March, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded star wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Oakland Raiders after a variety of disputes throughout his tenure with the team. The trade, at the time, seemed very one-sided, and I would argue it still does.

The difference? In March, it appeared as though the Raiders won the trade, but as things have unfolded in the last week, Pittsburgh seems to have gotten the better end of the deal.

A third-round pick and a fifth-round pick seemed like next to nothing for a player of Brown’s ability, especially when you consider that days later the Cleveland Browns sent a first-round pick, a third-round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers to the Giants for wideout Odell Beckham Jr.

More from City of Champions

• Pittsburgh Penguins: A Look Back at 2019
• Pittsburgh Steelers: A Look Back at 2019
• Pittsburgh Pirates: A Look Back at 2019
• Steelers: Need for QB of the Future is More Apparent than Ever
• Steelers: Defense Needs to Take Advantage of Inconsistent Bills Passing Attack

When the trade went down, I felt like the Steelers made the wrong decision by eating so much money and moving an elite talent for two mid-round picks. Six months later, I see why it was the right move.

The last week alone tells you all you need to know. He has criticized his former quarterback, been fined twice (both for things that were entirely his fault), posted what should have been kept between him and the Raiders, and threatened to punch his boss.

After all of that, what do the Raiders get for their trouble? Absolutely nothing. Brown is gone, and so are the picks that once seemed like nothing to give up for this caliber of player.

Antonio Brown has moved on from two teams this year, and the Steelers actually came out with the better return. Sure, he is a Patriot now, and, from the Steelers’ perspective, that creates much more concern than him being a Raider, but at the end of the day, he is not a Steeler, and that sure seems to be what is best for Pittsburgh.

There are no more distractions, no more drama, and the only way the Steelers have to worry about playing AB is in the playoffs. Given what he has shown the league in the last month, be thankful Pittsburgh got any return for him, and be thankful the headaches are no longer a problem in western PA.

Antonio Brown is still a great player, and, on paper, losing him hurts in Pittsburgh, but any other way you look at it, parting ways makes the Steelers better off.

Now that Brown has squandered his time in Oakland and has settled(?) in New England, how did the whole situation turn out for the Steelers? Leave your comments below!