Antonio Brown released audio from a conversation he had with his agent Drew Rosenhaus, giving fans a behind-the-scenes listen to their talks as Brown was looking to get traded from the Steelers.
Throughout the conversation, Brown and Rosenhaus hit several expected points — including Brown's desire to head to the Raiders, where he ultimately landed, and his unwillingness to head to the Bills — but there is plenty of new information, as well. Chief among it is the fact that the Patriots were involved early, with Rosenhaus serving as a liaison between the two teams.
"I put (Patriots Head Coach Bill) Belichick in touch with Kevin Colbert today," Rosenhaus says early in the talk. "From the Steelers' standpoint... They want the most compensation. I really want you to have a good quarterback and I want you to be in a (winning environment) man."
According to Rosenhaus, the Steelers maintained open communication at all times and were willing to make the deal with the Patriots if the compensation was there.
"The Steelers have been good communicators with me," Rosenhaus said. "We've talked a couple of times every day about the teams, and they know that it's important to us, that's why they opened it up for the Patriots as well. And that's a good development for us that they're now willing to trade you to New England. So now it's a process of New England stepping up."
Rosenhaus then noted that would be bad business for the Steelers as it would strengthen the Patriots' roster considerably, but Brown was quick to chime in.
"(Expletive), they don't care. They're making money. This (stuff's) going on. This (stuff) ain't ever ending, so they don't care," he said.
Interestingly, when Brown asks about the Raiders, Rosenhaus does not sound overly positive about the chances of his client being dealt there.
"Oakland, I think, is fading, man," he says. "I just, I kind of get the sense that they're fading a little bit. It really sounds that way from what I'm hearing around the league, AB... I wouldn't rule Oakland out, but I don't want to get your hopes up."
Earlier this month, reports circulated linking Brown with the Bills, another point addressed by Brown and Rosenhaus during their chat. While those reports made it seem like Brown was destined for Buffalo, Rosenhaus and Brown paint a much different picture.
"When the Bills called me today, they said, 'If we make the trade, what are you guys looking for?'" Rosenhaus says. "And I won't even give them a number because I know you'd rather not go there."
"Yeah, don't even waste time," Brown replied.
Listen to the full eight-minute clip here, via The Boomin' Experience Podcast:
"I wouldn't rule Oakland out." #Raiders pic.twitter.com/8UGlOSKayu
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) March 26, 2019
