The Steelers told Antonio Brown suitors they wanted their best offer for the receiver by Friday.
But that artificial deadline is not necessarily a deadline at all. It was imposed by the team to get all potential suitors to the table. That has worked, according to a source, and the Steelers now believe they have properly gauged all interest in Brown.
Now, barring a team jumping into the fray later today, the Steelers believe they have an idea of exactly which teams are truly interested and which were trying to get the All-Pro receiver at a discount price.
That could lead to a deal Friday, but it's not a necessity for the Steelers. They would like, however, to deal the receiver before he's due a $2.5-million roster bonus.
The Raiders, with four of the top 35 picks in April's draft, are considered the frontrunners, but there are still other teams in the mix, including the Redskins, who made a move Thursday to acquire quarterback Case Keenum from Denver for a sixth-round draft pick, and the Bills.
NFL Network's Ian Rappoport also said the Bills feel they are close to a deal.
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 that story died Friday morning:
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
Washington, meanwhile, had been in search of a potential starting quarterback because 2018 starter Alex Smith is not expected to be ready to play in 2019 -- if at all -- after suffering a severe leg injury at the end of last season.
Now, Washington must decide whether it can come up with a package to give Keenum a primary target to throw to. Washington's top receiver in 2018, Josh Doctson, had 44 catches for 532 yards, while the team didn't have any player catch more than two touchdown passes. Brown led the NFL with 15 touchdown catches in 2018.
The Redskins' top pick is 15th in the first round, but a deal of Brown for a player, say Doctson, a former first-round draft pick, and Washington's second-round selection, which is 46th overall, could be attractive in what is considered a deep defensive draft.