In 2015, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown grumbled about getting a new contract while staying away from the team's early voluntary workouts before eventually showing up. To momentarily satisfy their star wide receiver, who has emerged as arguably the most dangerous pass-catcher in the NFL, Pittsburgh moved $2 million of his salary from 2016 to 2015.
Obviously, that means Brown will be earning $2 million less this year than was originally expected when he signed a six-year, $43 million contract before the 2012 season. Brown, who has finished in the top two in receptions and receiving yards in each of the last two seasons, has a lower annual salary ($8.392 million) than 14 other WRs in the league.
While the 27-year-old isn't threatening to hold out this year, his participation in ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" has kept him away from some of Pittsburgh's offseason program. The Steelers, however, aren't concerned.
"There is physical risk, but you know in all honesty I'd much rather worry about that than worry about the guys doing something off the field," general manager Kevin Colbert said in a recent interview. "It's a positive kind of activity. It's fun for him. It's fun for our fans. He knows what he has to do from a conditioning standpoint. In fact, I think it was two weeks ago he danced on Monday night and he was here Tuesday morning for the workouts. So Antonio is not somebody we ever worry about working, being in condition. In fact it's probably the opposite; we worry about him over conditioning. I'm sure whenever that ends and we hope he goes all the way and wins the thing because it'll be exciting for him and really for our fans. But he'll be here and we have no concerns at all about Antonio Brown showing up in shape."
But will the Steelers do anything to adjust Brown's contract, which runs through 2017?
"He does have two years left and we expect that to be honored without any issue," Colbert said. Pittsburgh has long avoided commenting publicly on player contracts. "Again, Antonio's a unique player. We understand that and he understands our policies. I don't ever see that changing as long as we still have the mindset that it's been good for the organization. Again we understand that he's a special player and we're glad we have him for two more years anyway," Colbert added.
Normally, the Steelers have refrained from extending players with two or more years remaining on their contracts.
Brown ended 2015 with 136 receptions, 1,834 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Grat_Katzby
