Antonio Brown Contract: Latest News, Speculation on Negotiations with Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown signed a five-year contract extension in 2012, but the All-Pro may already be in line for a new deal. 

Continue for updates.

---

Cole: Brown's Push for New Deal Tied to Bryant, Hilton Deals

Monday, Aug. 17

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report passed along the latest regarding Brown's talks with the Steelers about a new contract:

On Aug. 13, Rand Getlin of NFL Network reported the Steelers are hesitant to sign a new deal with Brown, as he's still under team control for three seasons. 

Brown has developed into one of the NFL's elite pass-catchers over the past couple of seasons, and he is now hoping to be paid like one in the wake of the Indianapolis Colts and T.Y. Hilton striking a new, five-year pact.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Hilton extension was the catalyst Brown's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, needed to open up dialogue with the Steelers. Schefter also reported that Rosenhaus and the Steelers were scheduled to meet Friday in Jacksonville, Florida.

The 27-year-old wideout has three years remaining on his current deal, per Spotrac.com, and he is set to make a base salary of $6 million during the 2015 season. He rates as the 14th-highest-paid receiver in the league based on average yearly salary.

Following a 2014 campaign that saw him lead the league with 129 catches and 1,698 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns, it was no secret that he entered the offseason hoping to get his contract restructured and upgraded. There were even rumblings about a possible holdout, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1.

The former sixth-round draft pick decided to attend training camp, though, and made it clear how committed he was to the Steelers, per NFL.com's Gilberto Manzano: "You know you get caught up thinking about the future you lose sight of the present," Brown said. "What I'm here to do today is to show how hard I've been working, showcase I can still be the best in the world and help my team win football games."

The three-time Pro Bowler has crossed the 1,000-yard threshold in three of the past four seasons, and few would argue against the notion that he has established himself as one of the most dangerous weapons in the game.

Along with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Le'Veon Bell, Brown is the biggest key to Pittsburgh's success in 2015 and beyond as it has become an offense-first team.

The Steelers front office is well aware of his importance, and one can only assume that those in charge will do everything in their power to appease the superstar receiver before any kind of bad blood can begin to surface.

With the likes of Hilton, Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant all getting paid this offseason, Brown's on-field play dictates that he should be next in line.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.